Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She’s still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.
Being around Bones awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline rush of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head—wanted: dead or half-alive—means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard Cat tries to keep things professional between them, she’ll find that desire lasts forever…and Bones won’t let her get away again. Original.
Where to Buy
I have heard about this book for a few years now, particularly the infamous Chapter 32, and I have to say that it was well worth the wait. I read book one in the series, Halfway to the Grave, pretty much 2 years ago exactly but haven't managed to continue it aside from a couple short stories since then. Now that I'm finally able to I'm quite excited to finally be reading them (well, listening to them on audiobook) and so far am not a bit disappointed. The only thing I'm really worried about is that my ratings for them will likely get rather repetitive if they all live up to the quality of the first two books.
Cat has grown up a bit in the 4 years that have elapsed since the end of the previous book. She's not quite as naive and impetuous as she was before, and she has largely learned from past mistakes, though not quite as much as she should have perhaps. She has made great improvements in thinking things through before acting, and in trying to consider all possible alternatives before deciding on a course of action as being "the only way," but she still hasn't fully taken the lessons to heart. For all that she's quite used to working as part of a team, and generally insists on full disclosure of relevant facts with her team, she still lets a blind need for vengeance direct her actions in a way that comes very close to backfiring on her because she purposefully kept her teammates, and Bones in particular, in the dark regarding all of her intentions during a crucial meeting. At least she's gained enough wisdom to recognize when she's screwed up and how and is able to correct her mistake before things go too far.
Bones has changed little from the first book, though the intervening years have made him just a slight bit more ruthless perhaps. He makes it clear to Cat from the first time they meet again here that he has no intention of letting her get away from him again. He's definitely bitter about the way she left him before, and about the 4 years he's had to spend without her, but he also seems to be somewhat understanding of why she did what she did. Ready to forgive her for it? Not entirely, at least not at first, but he does understand...more or less. Despite the bitterness, however, he hasn't changed really, and he's still wholly willing to do almost anything if it will make her happy or keep her safe. He may be inflexible on some points regarding their relationship or regarding how some things have to happen to achieve the desired results, but he is always supportive of Cat and her abilities and has no problem following her lead when necessary. And when a critical mistake or two of hers nearly spells disaster for them? He thinks quickly, acts to save the situation, and never once voices anything more than a few mild recriminations to her.
Overall I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first one, which makes me even more excited to read the rest of them. If it continues to get better and better like this, then the series will certainly live up to its billing. As for some of the hype I've heard regarding this book and a particular chapter in it? Totally deserved. A certain book with a color in its name has nothing on the scorching hot kink that Cat and Bones engage in here, and I daresay there are few women that wouldn't want to experience at least a portion of what goes on here. Turn the fan on high before you start on it, and a bit of solitude might not be bad if you can manage it either
The book is more than just one super-sexy chapter however, and the main plot and character development we see not just with Cat and Bones but with many of the side characters as well is definitely worth the read. We get to see several key people slowly begin to relax their prejudices and undergo an attitude shift with regards to supernatural beings which should make far more nuanced interactions possible in the future. Though it likely goes without saying from everything I've said in this review, I most definitely recommend this book and this series to anyone that likes paranormal romance or urban fantasy. Come for the kickass heroine, the droolicious hero, and the super hot sexy-times, and then stay for the rich world in which bad guys aren't always entirely bad and the good guys sometimes do less-than-savory things. 5 solid stars for this one.
Woots! What an awesome series. I've read all but the very last one and I can't get myself to read it because then it'll be over. lol
ReplyDeleteGlad you're getting a chance to read them again :D