🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 #Review of The Other Half of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Title: The Other Half of the Grave
Series: Night Huntress #1.1

Author: Jeaniene Frost
Format: ebook, 424 pages
Published: April 26th 2022 by Jeaniene Frost
ISBN: 139781641971928

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N 

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 Wine Glasses

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From the New York Times bestselling author of the Night Huntress series comes a thrilling new look at the iconic origin story of Cat and Bones, as experienced by Bones…from the other half of the grave.

There are two sides to every story–and the sizzling British alpha vampire, Bones, has a lot to say…

Ever wondered what Bones was thinking and feeling when he and half-vampire Cat Crawfield first met? Or how their story might differ if he were the one telling it? Now, relive the beginning of Cat and Bones' bestselling love story through Bones' point of view, which reveals a darker, sexier take on their early days, as well as a deeper dive into Bones' past, the vampire world, and other things that Cat didn't see when their story was told only through her eyes in Halfway to the Grave.

Cat had her say. Now, it's Bones' turn.

Crystal's Thoughts

Finally, we return to the Night Huntress world! Not with a new book in the series, no, but the beginning of the series through Bones's eyes. Was this something readers had longed for? Heck, yes! Was this something that we ever expected to happen? Nope. But it did, and it delivered everything I didn't even know to hope for! 

"Tonight, Bones hunted."

It's difficult to put down my thoughts on this book without gushing incoherently, but allow me to say that if you didn't already worship at the alter of Bones, you will after reading his side of Halfway to the Grave! And if you already lusted after Bones from the get-go, get ready, because you will fall even more in love with him, as impossible as that may seem! One of the things readers appreciate most about Bones is that he makes no apologies for the vampire he is. He is not human. He is a master vampire. He doesn't live by human standards and his oft-times difficult life has shaped him into the vampire he is today. In The Other Half of the Grave, we finally get an in-depth dive into Bones's past, his relationship with Ian, and all of those convoluted feelings he experienced when first meeting Cat. 

"Yes, she was fantasizing about ripping both of her weapons through his heart while he was feelings things he'd probably only heard of before, but who said romance was perfect?"

One thing that took me by surprise in his side of the story, was the extent of Bones's feelings for Cat, and how soon those feelings emerged. I've heard some readers complain about what they thought was "insta-love" between Cat and Bones at the beginning of the series, but I didn't agree because Bones had to work for Cat's affection. Even then, it wasn't until we were three books into the series that Cat's love for Bones and her acceptance of his world really solidified. With Bones we see the total opposite. Meeting Cat was like a silver stake to the heart for him, instant. 

"...he was now head-over-heels for a prissy, murdering half-breed who hated the sight of him and snored."

I respect that despite his quickly growing feelings for Cat, Bones never let them outwardly show because he knew that Cat needed time to grow and accept him for who he was, not what he was. Another aspect that we didn't see much of through Cat's eyes was the extent of Bones's jealousy. Yes, we know that vampires are possessive creatures. And yes, Tate, but that all comes a bit later. Cat often uses herself as bait to catch unruly vampires throughout the series' storyline, and Bones sat by while she did so. Readers never saw just how difficult that was for Bones, and just how much he hated it until now. 

"He had to bury his emotions. They made him reckless, and he couldn't permit that. Until this was finished, he wouldn't allow himself to feel at all."

Before beginning The Other Half of the Grave, I did binge re-read the entire Night Huntress series. Including the Night Huntress World, novellas, and Night Prince series. ( Sorry Ian, I couldn't wait any longer to begin on Bones. ) I am so glad that I did because honestly, I didn't realize just how much I missed these characters until reading about them all over again. It was akin to coming home and no matter how many years had passed in-between visits, everything was still the same as I remembered. Don't worry if you think this is going to be a Halfway to the Grave verbatim though, because it's not. Bones has a lot going on that Cat was not aware of, and some other scenes vary because Bones saw them differently. 

"If you run from me, I'll chase you. And I'll find you."

The one and only thing that I did not care for was the modernization of the book. Which the author explains at the start of the book, and I do understand the reasoning behind it, but I found it unnecessary and would have preferred if it was kept in the same time period technology-wise as Halfway to the Grave. Despite that small dislike, I can't wait for Bones's side of  One Foot in the Grave.  However, I really want his version of Destined for an Early Grave. The emotional turmoil that book put me through from Cat's side alone, gah! I can't imagine how much more intense it would be through Bones's eyes. I've said it before, and I will keep saying it. The Night Huntress series is a must read for every paranormal romance reader, and if you have yet to begin it then you are missing out. Jeaniene Frost's gifted writing, the unique world she has created here, and it's memorable characters that inhabit in it are incomparable.

"I love you too, Kitten. Today, tomorrow, forever."

The Night Huntress Series