Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Hi everybody, and welcome to a new Top Ten Tuesday!
Today I’m deviating from the original topic just a teensy tiny bit. You see, I just talked about reasons I love reading last year. So I decided to specify a bit more and talk about my love for a very specific series.
You see, about half a year ago, I fell in love with The Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost. It’s a slightly older series, as the first book was published in 2007, so I’m a little late to the party, but who cares because I’m here now!
I’ve been making my way through the series and the spin-offs ever since, but I’ve never really written a review for any of them. So I figured today was the perfect day to give you ten reasons why I love The Night Huntress series!
What it’s about:
Flirting With The Grave…
Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father – the one responsible for ruining her mother’s life. Then she’s captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unlikely partnership.
In exchange for help finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She’s amazed she doesn’t end up as his dinner – are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn’t have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side … and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.
10 Reasons to read this series:
Cat Crawfield. Badass and funny, a lethal combo.
A half vampire who has grown up hating her vampire side and thinking them all evil, so she has made it her mission to hunt vampires. Cat is badass, sassy and hilarious, but also flawed and insecure in her own way. She’s a complex, but fun character and may be one of my all-time favorite bookish heroines.
Bones. Love interest extraordinaire.
Bones is a powerful vampire bounty hunter whom Cat originally tries to kill, but only he captures her and makes a deal that they work together. He’s British and handsome, with pronounced cheekbones and he likes to dye his hair. In fact, when they first meet it’s platinum blonde. He also likes wearing long leather coats and rides a motorcycle. So of course I imagined him as Spike from Buffy all the time, hah! He’s also got a great sense of humor and though he is protective, he’s also super respectful of Cat and respects her ability to protect herself and I love that about him.
The humor. LOL like all the time.
I’ve never laughed as much as with this series. It’s just filled with so many fun, sassy and snarky characters and the witty remarks are just so great. I listen to the audiobooks in my car and often I’m just sitting there cackling like a lunatic.
The worldbuilding. Don’t ask them if they sparkle.
When you think about vampires, you may think ‘this has been done before’ and ‘boring, it’s always the same’. BUT YOU’D BE WRONG! Yes, this features vampires, but it’s such a fun and fresh take on the vampire lore. There are rules and hierarchies and extra powers that can all easily fill up quite some books with new and exciting worlds. Also, though the series’ main feature is vampires, there are also ghouls and ghosts and lots of fun to be had with those!
The romance. Emotional and steamy and SO GOOD!
Yes, this is a fantasy romance, so of course there is going to be a lot of focus on romance and it’s gonna be steamy! I do love a good romance, but I felt like this series really balanced it all so well: the romance is always present but never overwhelming and the steamy scenes are just the right amount as well. Also, the romance between Cat and Bones is just FANTASTIC. They’re so great together and I love their chemistry, their sass and their respect towards each other.
The pacing. Fast and furious but in a good way.
Every book is such an edge-of-your-seat ride from start to finish. The pacing is fast and action-packed, while still keeping enough room for emotional scenes or quiet character moments. It’s one of those series that’s just an absolute joy to read because it just flows so well that you just don’t want to stop reading.
The secondary characters or the Scooby Gang with fangs.
Throughout the series, we’re introduced to such an amazing cast of secondary characters. Each of them are so fun in their own way and I always squeal when they appear in a new book. In fact, the most notable of them even have their own spin-offs! There’s Spade, Bones’ equally British but way fancier best friend. There’s Ian, Bones’ maker and a shameless rogue. But also Mencheres, the centuries old and super powerful Egyptian vampire. And last, but not least, Vlad, whom we all know as Dracula (but don’t call him that!). Don’t ask me to choose a favorite amongst them, because I can’t.
The sheer number of books in the series
Usually, huge series intimidate me, but this time I LOVE IT! It just means there’s more to enjoy and frankly, I could keep reading about this world and this cast of characters for ever.
The exquisite audio narration of Tavia Gilbert
I listen to these books on audio and all of them are narrated by Tavia Gilbert. And I absolutely adore her narration. She embodies Cat and her sassiness so perfectly, and I love all her voices for the other characters. I’ve seen some people who did not enjoy her voice for Bones, but though I have to admit it was not the British accent I was expecting at first, I quickly got used to it, and now I think it’s perfect and I can’t imagine Bones sounding any other way.
The spin-offs, so you can get even more vampire lovin’
That’s right! Spade, Mencheres, Vlad and Ian all have their own book(s) so you can keep on enjoying this world. There may even be some Cat and Bones cameos in them, so that’s also fun! Check out the complete recommended reading order here.
Tell Me:
Did you read this series and loved it? Or is it something you’d like to try?
It’s fun to single out a fandom, be it book or TV show, and share the reasons for loving it! Glad you discovered something that’s older and are enjoying it so. It’s always fun to make new discoveries. 🙂
Absolutely, discovering a new fandom is the best feeling 🙂
I remember this series! I think I’d read till Book 4 and Bones was really awesome. Those were my fond Urban Fantasy binge-reading days. 🙂
Yay, glad you liked this series! Bones is definitely a character to remember 🙂
It’s always fun to hone in on a favorite series! And the worldbuilding in these sounds awesome. Love that Cat & Bones art also!
Sometimes we just have to rave about one series a bit, haha 🙂
Great list, Lindsey! It sounds like this series is a lot of fun – some of those quotes made me laugh, too!
It is such a fun series indeed 🙂
Long series are great!
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
Gotta love long series indeed!
It’s always cool to find books that have amazing world building. 🙂
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-reasons-why-i-love-reading/
Yes, getting lost in new worlds is the best!
I love when books can make me laugh – it’s pretty rare!
It is rare, but it’s so amazing when it happens 🙂
I don’t think I’ve heard of this series. But I may have to give it a go. Cat reminds me of Charley Davidson from author Darynda Jones. Smart, sassy, witty, and sexy! I think I laughed through most of the series.
Here is my post: https://readbakecreate.com/?p=468
Oh, I still need to read the Charley Davidson series, glad to hear it’s such a fun read 🙂 Hope you’ll enjoy The Night Huntress series if you decide to try it!
YAY! I love love loooove everything about this post, which probably doesn’t come as a surprise. All the books in the world of Night Huntress are just so good and the characters! I’m curious to see what Jeaniene is gonna write next.
Yay I’m happy I can rave about these books with you 😀 And that I still have some books to go through so it’s not over yet!
I love it when a find a new series to love! This one isn’t really my kind of thing, but I’m glad you enjoy it so much.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Finding new series is the best indeed!
These sound like books one can really get lost in. Glad you found them. Your passion really jumps out. My TTT is off-topic this week. Please visit anyway?!
They definitely are those kind of books to get lost in 🙂
I think you sold me on trying this series out! I haven’t read her before.
Ah that’s great! I hope you’ll enjoy it if you decide to try it 🙂 Feel free to let me know your thoughts when you do!
I agree the narration is exceptional!
It is indeed so well done!
I hadn’t heard of this series before!
Here’s my list!
Glad I could introduce you 🙂
It doesn’t sound like my kind of thing, I’m not really a vampire lover and romance focused reads aren’t really for me. I’m glad to see that you enjoyed it though!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2021/07/06/top-ten-tuesday-323/
I really did enjoy this series 🙂 No matter the series/genre, discovering and falling in love with a new book (series) is definitely the best and that’s universal for any book lover 🙂
Yes definitely!
This sounds like such a fun series. I’m glad you’re loving it so much. 🙂
Thanks, I’m definitely loving this series 🙂