Night Huntress Series Read-a-Long Discussion #1: HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE Ch. 1-7
Welcome to our first Night Huntress Series Read-a-Long Discussion Post. Today we’re chatting it up about the first seven – intense – chapters of Halfway to the Grave. This is not the sign-up post; however, we’d love for you to join us. You can find all the information on how to sign-up RIGHT HERE.
[heading style=”1″]Our Thoughts on Chapters 1-7: [/heading]
Diayll
My initial reaction upon first meeting a surly Cat was holy-mother-of-pearl-I-love-this-girl! I practically fell out of my seat roaring with laughter at the interactions between her and Bones. Cat is feisty, sure of herself, and even though she’s tainted by her past she is also a very proud person. Cat is definitely what drew/lured me into the story. She loathes vampires because of her constant torment as a child and because of her mother (who irritated the hell outta me). But beneath it all, she just wants to survive. Get revenge. And maybe just maybe win some affection from the only parent she’s ever known. Do y’all realize just how screwed up she is? I hope so because it does make for an interesting dynamic character. Some of my favorite quotes came from Cat (check out my banners).
Bones. A very British Bones. WTF you’re a raging lunatic and I still love you with a passion? My first reaction to Bones was that I wanted to kill him! I wanted to b*tch-slap him so many times for what he was doing to Cat I couldn’t even read straight. I’m just going to say this now, Bones is crazy. Freaking cuckoo. Well, maybe he’s just a man on a mission and doesn’t care who he maims as long as he gets the job done. Either way, I like it. Heck I like it a lot. He’s very, very, very, very sexy in a lethal I-am-going-to-suck-your-blood-and-rip-your-clothes-off kinda way. He’s the kind of man you can’t take home to your mother, instead you sneak out at night and go see him. He’s very matter-of-fact and tell-it-like-it-is. He grew on me (which I didn’t expect) and that’s a surefire sign of a remarkable character. Team Bone!
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Heather
The first Seven Chapters of Halfway to the Grave introduces us to Cat (Catherine Crawfield). We get to see two sides of her that aren’t public knowledge, the vampire hunter and the dhampir side. At first, her evenings are spent hunting and killing dirty, demon vampires … but then …
She meets Bones, a haughty, British Vampire
Ok we all read this so I’m skipping the recap of what went down. First off, I want to talk about our lovely Cat, more so how she’s written. I really enjoy the internal struggles she’s already battling. “I’m evil, so all vamps are evil.” mentality. Has it been done to death, sure, but hasn’t everything?
On to Bones … Dang, someone get me an air-conditioned fan to cool me down. We’ve barely gotten to know him, but ./fans self. I am already swooning over his undead body.
The early insight on his change was nice. I hate when they trump up for suspense and it’s like, but it was my choice and you’ll hate me. The author doesn’t do that, Bones doesn’t do that, and I love it. Oh and please, where do I sign-up to buy his body?
All joking aside, it killed me to stop at Chapter Seven, but Diayll made me! I’ll see everyone next week, with more opinion, but for this week …
What did y’all think of the character development, because that is really what we see here, along with the budding suspense of her new job/training.
[heading style=”1″]Discussion Questions:[/heading]
- What was your initial reaction to Cat? Bones?
- Were you surprised Bones is British? (caught us off guard!!!)
- What do you think about the deal between Cat and Bones?
- What do you think about Cat’s training?
- What did you think about the ways in which a vampire can be killed? Interesting? (p. 32-39)
- What do you think about all vampires having some form of mind control? Creepy? Cool?
- What are your favorite quotes?
- What were your favorite scenes?
You don’t have to answer all the questions. These are just some areas we found interesting while reading and thought they’d make a good point of reference if you aren’t sure what you’d like to discuss. #CatBonesRA
Next week: May 11 – 17; Chapters 8 – 14
Yay! I finally got my copy!! *happy dance*
I knew nothing of this series until I started reading it. Whew! I don’t know how I missed this one! I had to force myself to stop reading at the end of chapter 7 so I could come here and comment! (course I got the book last night so as soon as I’m done here I’m off to read the next 7 chapters!
I LOVE both Cat and Bones!
I think Cat is just more than a little messed up in the head. Not only has she been treated like crap by the town she grew up in but her mom has convinced her she is evil. The messed up part is Cat loves her mom more than anything but her mom just thinks shes evil. Like in the scene where she comes home and her mom tells her how she has to control herself because of the evil inside of her. I wanted to smack her mom.
As for Bones, I found him so entertaining and sexy! As I said before I didn’t know what to expect, but I have to agree I didn’t expect him to be British! But I think it just ads to his charm!
I’m trying not to guess where the story is going. I’ve enjoyed the writing so far and how the characters have worked together and I don’t want to ruin it for myself!
Going to go read more!
I didn’t know much about the series going in, but so far it’s not at all what I was expecting, but I’m really enjoying it. I like Cat, and Bones has me curious (I was pleasantly surprised he was British – makes him even sexier!). I’m eager to see where their relationship goes and if/how Cat will come to terms with her vampire side. Even though Bones is kind of crazy and bad-ass I like that he does have some morals, like how he keeps telling Cat he would never take advantage of a woman and that if they were ever together it would be because she wanted it, not because he forced her. I get a definite Angel/Spike vibe from him in a lot of ways – vampire with a soul type thing. I like it!
~Marie @ Ramblings of a Daydreamer
Oh love the Angel/Spike reference, though I do do think he’s more like Spike than Angel. Well, maybe the old pre-soul angel. And he’s definitely grown on me, turned my skepticism into pure lust! hehe
I came into the series without knowing what to expect too. I’ve been very surprised and I’m really digging Bones in a book boyfriend kind of way.
OH So not fair!! I haven’t gotten my copy yet!! (I ordered it forever ago!)
It looks so good so far. A soon as I get it I’m going to play catch up…but until then…. 🙁
I envy you in a way AimeeKay. Stopping sucks, it’s so good I just want to keep going
Now I got my copy and I know just what you mean!
I have to say that I am so far pleasantly surprised by this series! I really got into these first seven chapters. It has been a long time since I have read something that I didn’t have to force myself through, and I really enjoyed just relaxing and reading this book.
I loved Cat. She isn’t perfect, in fact I really hate the fact that she is so closed minded (all vampires are evil), but I also think this leaves her character with a lot of room for growth. She is scarred by her past, and everything in her past has led her to believe all vampires are evil. I think her journey will be interesting. I too hated her mother. I know her experiences have been terrible, but I have trouble with a parent who can’t unconditionally love her child. Cat does what she does for her mother–she is seeking her mother’s approval.
I love Bones. He is smart and I love how he tries to convince Cat that just like humans aren’t all good, not all vampires are evil. I think we will see more of this in the series and I think Cat may have to come to terms with the fact that not all vampires are evil and perhaps she may have killed someone innocent. I love that we got a look into Bone’s past to see where he came from, and I love how he is a little out of touch with the modern.
I can’t wait to read more. So glad I decided to do this read along. I also have to say that I loved the ghost scene! That was great!
I loved the ghost scene too. I agree her hating vampires so much she has room to change through out the series.
Yes, I think both caracters are going to grow tremendously though out this novel (and probably series). I suspect Bones will soften and Cat will open up a lot.
The ghost scene, how could I forget! It was one of my favorites too! And what Bones said to Cat while she was drunk made me love him even more.
The Ghost was great! I want more ghosts!
1) Cat annoyed me a bit, to be perfectly honest! Having read other books that I would consider along these same lines, she just isn’t my favorite so far… I do like the interactions and “tension” that’s starting to form between she and Bones though! I do like Bones quite a bit… his gentlemanly charm is nice, while still being a cold-blooded killer! =)
2) I could tell from the way he “talks” that he was British
5) I’m on board with the ways in which a vampire can be killed. I’ve read a lot of different books with vampires in them — some annoy me because they are so far different from “the norm” and some just add in little changes here and there that I can agree with =)
I have to admit I’m not in love with the story so far, but the interaction between Cat & Bones is definitely enough to keep me reading! Interested to see where it goes from here!
I have a feeling we’re not supposed to like Cat at first. It almost feels as if we’re meant to grow with her. I sure hope I’m right.
Did anyone else think it was funny when Bones got her makeup and hair done!!!!!????!!!
This is where a movie/show would have paid off. I picture her as a wholesome, girl next door (who hunts vamps at night lol). But after he dolls her up, I can almost picture what I’d feel like to be dressed in “&^%$ me clothes”
This is a re-read for me as I was lucky in finding the first couple of books in the series at a local book store going out of business sale for dirt cheap. I read them at that time about three years ago, so it was like starting fresh all over again. It is hard to keep discussion within the perimeters, as I will admit I could not stop reading.
I love how Cat is strong (one of my main criteria in a great protagonist), yet at the same time blinded by her naivete and lust for vengeance is vulnerable.
I have to say that the beginning of the book is not my favorite part, there are times when I want to burn her mother at the stake LOL and I get frustrated by Cat’s continued support of her, what I would term, abuse.
I love the accent. One of the things that first caught my eye with Bones was the suave snarky dialogue (hard not to jump ahead here ;=)
For me it is fun to read the different methodologies for killing the vampire in different series and I love how these differences add to making a unique read within a very full genre. Although, if it is okay with you I will keep my cross, stakes, and holy water around just in case
I think Cat’s training is brutal and so promising for great battles ahead. Must admit to being a bit envious of knowing there is no way on this earth I could ever survive it.
One of my favorite quotes is not likely one of the more popular, but it is rather on point for today. “I you were my child, I’d have you nailed inside your room at night. Don’t understand people nowadays, let their kids do anything.” Bones; Chapter 3, pg 41
I can totally agree. The beginning is rough. Her mother is a bi*ch. OMG I am on board with the not being able to survive her training!!!! Yikes!
The mother really gets under my skin and something tells me there is more to THAT story than we’re told. Makes me wonder if she’s mad because he’s a vampire or mad because it was a one night stand.
I do hope Cat grows a pair and learns to think for herself.
I have read this book but it has been several years so it was refreshing to
pick it back up as I it is so hard not to love the characters that Frost so vividly brings to life.
I want to address -“What did you think about the ways in which a vampire can be killed? Interesting?” This is one topic that always has me on the fence and I am glad that authors have strong convictions to go with their own Vamp do’s and don’t rather than the historical religious norm. In some books, like the Anita Blake series, it works extremely well, but in others, like Twilight, verging off the path into glittery overkill is…well it’s overkill.
Ok, ok, back to the question. I love that Frost makes Vampires more humanistic in nature. For me, it gives me a sense that the people around could in fact, not be people at all, but things nightmares have been made of for centuries. I like the allure that feeble humans are easy prey and unless you open your eyes, believe, and put up a fight, you could just be a nice tasty snack.
Now, onto the mind control. I am wishy-washy with this. I feel everyone/thing has their own unique persona and to give the entire kingdom the same type of chi is wasteful to a story as so much story building can be had off one simple power, however, again Frost makes it work for her quite well.
Bones. How can you not look past his dark side and love him? I mean the accent that speaks in my head while reading is FABULOUS and gets me all fluttery, but I do have a weakness for accents, especially British. I am even more titillated when they give the leading ladies pet names and they despise it. Gives that old world flair to it, like, I own you, and you can’t deny it because I’m older than dirt and you are just a measly girl . LOL
I agree Twilight was its own entity so we can’t even discuss it in the same realm as other books. But Frost did an excellent job with her “rules” for this universe. I liked them all except for the mind control. That’s the one thing I think is kinda lame. And her vampires are very real. They don’t particularly stand out in a crowd so I agree with you that they are very much human and that makes it all the more entertaining.
The mind control, I guess goes along the lines of compulsion. It’s not too far out there for me, and it’s present in a lot of vampire works. At least Cat seems immune, which is good because it would totally ruin the story.
Haha, yes I agree twilight while a vampire novel, for me … eh… it’s not comparable at all.
I’m doing the books on audio, and I have to say the narrator is freaking fantastic! I love the way she makes Bones sound! I’ve already read the first 4 books so I’ll do my best to stick to the questions. Anyway, Cat is so stubborn and I just thought it was so funny how she tried to kill Bones and got her butt handed to her. I love the training because it really shows how strong and amazing Cat really is. I might have already known Bones was British, not sure, but it wasn’t a surprise. I’ve read a lot of other vampire stories where they have some sort of mind control or glamour or whammy or whatever they call it so that seems normal to me heh. I love the funny banter between Cat and Bones, great writing.
I do love how strong Cat seems to think she is when she goes after Bones. In a lot of ways she is strong, but stronger than the humans and newbie vamps, so I’m sure it’s a major blow to her ego!
The training is nice, like you said to show her strength, but I loved the determination too. I can’t wait for next week, to see if Bones wears any of that down!
Ah and so jealous! I should’ve bought the audio.
Blow to her ego is an understatement!
OMG I’m doing the next one on audio! I was debating which way to go because I wanted to be able to pull random quotes. But I did try a sample on Audible and love her voice.
I think Cat is one of the strongest heroines I’ve read in a while. Love how she always has a comeback a sideback and an upside down back for every situation. Though it was pretty funny watching her fight Bones. And when he “made” her pretty…I about died!
Also check out the Overdrive app and see if your local library has it on loan for audio. That is how I have “read” most of this series and how I passed my days when I actually had a job!
I think it is great that the narrator is so good, definitely can make or break the story, and with all the subtle humor in the suggested voice inflections – awesome.
Totally agree. With an audiobook its the narrator who makes or breaks the story. I’ve listened to some Awesome ones (Unravel Me, Lords of the Underworld) and terrible ones, (so bad I can’t remember the name).
Thanks for the questions they really helped ! Here is what I had to say on the first 7 chapters hope you don’t mind me leaving a link (http://livingatthewhiteheadszoo.blogspot.com/2013/05/discussion-1-cat-and-bones-catbonesra.html)
Glad you were able to use the questions! Since this is a re-read for you, is it just as good the second time around?
This is the first time I’ve read it but I’m really enjoying it. I had to stop myself from just reading straight through the series and pace myself.
When I click on your link, it is a blank blog page
here is the corrected link: http://livingatthewhiteheadszoo.blogspot.com/2013/05/discussion-1-cat-and-bones-catbonesra.html
thanks for putting in my correct link
oops sorry about that.