Featured Early Review: Up From The Grave (Night Huntress #7) by Jeaniene Frost

*** This review is spoiler-free but does contain references to previous books in the series and the Night Prince companion series. ***

After opening with a shocking revelation, Up From the Grave goes on to reveal secrets dating all the way back to One Foot In the Grave, the second book in the Night Huntress series.

[quote]I used to get a rush from going on a hunt, but as much as I wanted Madigan dead, if I could have traded killing him myself for all of this being over, I would. In a hot second. Maybe this is what people called getting older.[/quote]

Don is as mysterious and tight-lipped as ever and Ian, one of my favorite secondary characters in the entire series, is as charming and rogueish and powerful as we’ve ever seen him.  I’m actually glad that Ms. Frost hasn’t paired him up for his own story yet.  The established couples get a lot less page time and it’s a real treat to see Ian in action again and learn some adorable (although, please don’t tell Ian I said he was adorable!) new tidbits about him in Up From the Grave. We also get a crossover view of some events from the companion Night Prince series starring Vlad and Leila.

[quote]Staff passed out crystal glasses filled with something crimson yet bubbly. Curious, I grabbed one off the nearest tray and took a sip. “You’ve got to try this,” I told Bones, handing him the glass. “It’s like Cristal and O-Negative had a love child.”[/quote]

Even after 7 books, the passion between Cat and Bones is massive and soul-deep, and their single-minded, unwavering dedication to one another is nearly unmatched in the genre. Cat and Bones still set the sheets on fire, even without fancy positions or dirty talk or explicit and lewd, lengthy sex scenes; they are just, simply, a perfect match in every way and that fierce love is what makes this whole series shine so brightly.

[quote]I went over to Bones, framing his face in my hands. “It was you who taught me to judge people by their actions instead of their species. You saved me from a life of misery, regret, and well-earned recriminations. Now it’s time to let me do my thing, Bones” – I smiled wryly – “and trust that you taught me to be the best damn killer I could be.”[/quote]

While I was a little disappointed that the plot arc wasn’t completely original, I loved how Ms. Frost brought everything full circle and wrapped it up smoothly (if a little predictably). If she doesn’t continue to write more stories in this universe, I predict a wave of fan fiction soon revolving around two of the more memorable secondary characters. Come back and read statement that again once you’ve finished the book and I bet you’ll know what I mean. *wink*

[quote]”Too bad you lost your ghost juju.”
Some days I regretted that. Most, I didn’t. “Everything ends eventually.”[/quote]

Up From the Grave marks the end of an era, where Cat Crawfield-Russell ruled the supernatural world (and the urban fantasy literature one, too!) with a viscously- and hard-earned reputation and romanced us all with the literally undying love and passion she shared with her husband, Bones.  As sad as I am to see one of the best series ever written in the urban fantasy genre come to a close, I can’t help but be happy (and relieved – geez, these guys have been through a lot!) for the characters and satisfied that this final installment in the Night Huntress series goes out with both a bang and an unexpectedly poignant happily-ever-after.  Frost Fans have been waiting a long time for this one, and Jeaniene Frost really brings it home!  If you’re a fan of the series and avidly awaiting release day, be sure you  have this one pre-ordered and time set aside to read, because you will not be disappointed!  If you’re new to the series and wondering what all the fuss is about… well, then let me just point you right along to one of the best urban fantasy series ever written.  Start reading Night Huntress with Halfway to the Grave and fall in love with everybody’s favorite smokin hot ex-gigolo British vamp, Bones.

Up From The Grave is…