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breezy610's review against another edition
4.0
beachybookstack's review against another edition
3.0
snoopydoo77's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoy this series and really love Cat and Bones, some books more other less it all depends. So of course I was looking forward to this book.
I loved that we pretty much back home to where it all started and we see a lot of familiar faces that we love again.
Cat’s new abilities are no longer as much of a secret as they would like and they wrong kind of group finds out about them and sends the rest of the supernatural world after her.
Of course Bones and the crew are wont let that happen.
An ally or enemy, we never really know forces Cat to drink their blood and that alone will cause a while lot new problems to for Cat and Bones.
We learn a lot more about the coming threat, about Cat’s “new” abilities as well about other people of the team.
There are also some major things happening with her family, or the only remaining living member that is, her uncle.
I really liked that we are back and see everyone again and some that we have not seen in a while , like Tate. I was never really sure about Tate but I really like him in this book. He stood up for what he thinks was right of course, was a prick at times but still was very right in ways. It all just seemed to fit much better with him.
There were some truly heartbreaking moments in the book that made you wanna weep.
The very ending however I saw coming the moment one event occurred, and as much I wanted to be surprised by it I wasn’t. It was just very predictable. but still will be interesting to see how it plays out.
As much as I love the series, this book was a little bit confusing and a let down, It seemed to have a few holes. I guess there were some side books about Menchers and his girl and Denise and Spade. HOWEVER it was very poorly tie in to the main books, one book everything is normal and fine in the main series and the next we all of the sudden have some new couples that seemed to have a rather big story themselves. Not only that but, there are also some new powers with Denise. While I like side books but I not always read them as I’m sure some other people and it should not affect the main books that much or at the very least should be written into the main story better.
Overall I liked the book and the “MAIN” story but like I said it was a bit confusing about Denise and them. As much as I would love to give it another 5 star review I can’t, it just had to many holes in the story and confusing at other things.
I rate it at 3 ★
Some of my favorite quotes:
“What the hell was that?” I gasped. “Premature inflammation,” he replied. “Happens sometimes. Very embarrassing. I don’t like to talk about it.”
***
“See?” I’d whispered to Bones, nudging him with a grin. “He never argues with her. Isn’t that sweet?”
A snort preceded his response. “Keep dreaming, pet.”
***
Bones didn’t share any of my qualms about suddenly holding an arm that wasn’t attached to a body anymore. He just grabbed the ghoul by his other arm and began thumping him over the head with the loose limb. I’d heard Bones threaten to beat someone with their own limb before, but I’d always assumed that was a figure of speech. Apparently not.
***
His grin was shameless "If you're just now realizing what an original I am, Catherine, you're even later to the game than I imagined."
"Your arrogance deserves its own zip code, Drac," I said, laughing despite myself.
***
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
My Take
I've been noticing for the past couple of years the number of stories which reference real-life books as well as today's movies and music. Discovering what the various stories' characters like to watch/read/listen to provides insight into the characters not only into what their likes and dislikes are but also the author's reference points. Bringing some unexpected "legs" to the particular media with inspiration for we readers to explore our own culture more.
I do enjoy the twist authors take on historical personages or events giving us a new perspective…however unrealistic. Vlad comes across as so much more of a rounded person than one would expect, considering the usual treatment authors take on his character. As for the "true" reason behind Joan of Arc's immolation…eeek… Then there's the bit where Frost reminds us of how old Bones is when Cat thinks that "Bones had mastered the art of seduction before this country even elected its first president." It's one thing to know, intellectually, how old he is but to have an historical event to place just how long ago that was is a mind bender. And I thought it was pretty cool the things my grandparents had seen come into their lives!
Cat certainly takes a new approach to spying while setting up a whole new possibility of alliances. I'm curious as to whether Frost takes this possibility any further in the next story and just how long Cat retains her new powers…
The Story
Apollyon continues to incite the ghoul masses with the threat of the vampires, led by that half-vampire freak, Catherine Crawfield, enslaving all ghouls for eternity. The truth is that Apollyon has been chanting this same refrain for centuries in hopes of taking power and being in charge of everyone supernatural. At least we hope he'll stop with the supes.
His followers are killing, hard, all the Masterless vampires they can find reducing the possible troops that could fight back. Assassins coming after Cat and Bones. But the couple are hard on Apollyon's heels partly through the help of their ghostly friend, Fabian. And an unexpectedly violent meeting with Marie Laveau in New Orleans.
The Characters
Cat, a.k.a., Catherine Crawfield, also known as the Red Reaper, a half-vampire, cracks me up with her unintended double entendres. Bones is her vampire husband from England via Australia. Fabian is Cat's ghost friend.
Timmie, um, I mean TIM, re-enters Cat's life in a most unexpected way. Surprisingly accepting of Cat's new status, well, new since he encountered Cat. Tim throws his lot in with Cat and Bones with his own side request.
Mom makes a startling new decision about her life and Don, unfortunately, has already made his choice about his own life while Tate seems to have finally arrived at the only reasonable conclusion.
Marie Laveau, a.k.a., Majestic, is the voodoo Queen of the ghouls. Gregori was her Master.
Apollyon ramps up his ranting and the backstory on him sets Cat's teeth on edge while giving us a new perspective on 15th century saints.
Spade and Denise, Cat and Bones' friends, play a part in this adventure as well.
The Cover and Title
Looking at the cover with Cat wearing her red form-fitting min-dress atop a roof dressed with gargoyles and pigeons looking out over a city would make you think we were gonna spend some time in Paris…not.
Between Apollyon's choice of venues, Marie Laveau's office location, and the status of vampires in general, This Side of the Grave as a title is scarily appropriate.
erikajay's review against another edition
3.0
Other thoughts:
-Vlad!!! Am I the only one who loves him? And I kinda want him and Cat to get together... Maybe after Bones dies and she waits a respectful amount of time?
-Mencheres with a GF is adorable. Hope we see more of them together!
-There is more romance in book 5 than the previous two.
-Thankfully there was less Tate.
macks_brog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
muum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
geezenstack444's review against another edition
2.0
bookdevouringmisfit's review against another edition
4.0