Home for the Holidays by Jeaniene Frost

Narrated by Tavia Gilbert

I’ve read and listened to all Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress and Night Prince novels, and the series is one of my favorites. Listening to Tavia Gilbert’s narration of these characters I knew so well from first reading the eleven full-length Night Huntress books solidified my love of the audiobook format. The continuity of her portrayal of Frost’s characters throughout the Night Huntress universe is masterful. Because Frost has so carefully built the world in which these characters live, I hesitated to read the novellas in large part because I didn’t want to be disappointed if Frost failed to deliver the rich and detailed story I have come to expect of her. At three and a half hours, Home for the Holidays was too short for me – a die-hard Cat and Bones fan, but I can say my fears of disappointment were unfounded. Gilbert was as true to the characters as she’s ever been in her narration and Frost used every bit of those three and a half hours to paint an engaging story. I took my earbuds out feeling good about my short visit to Cat and Bones’ house for the holidays.

Home for the Holidays has the whole cast of characters from other Night Huntress novels and opens with everyone at Cat and Bones’ house to celebrate Bones’ birthday, which is just a few weeks before Christmas. Frost builds on the previous novels, so it should be read between One Grave at a Time and Once Burned (the first Night Prince novel). Because Home for the Holidays is short (175 pages in print) I won’t give away too much of the storyline, but Frost gives us an interesting twist that reveals more of Bones’ origins. It wouldn’t be a true Night Huntress novel if there wasn’t an enemy to be bested, but Frost mixes things up by pairing Cat with an ally who would typically be last on her list. It is unfortunate that so many details were glossed over, but there was plenty of action to keep the listener engaged. Frost managed to include a few love scenes, which are always good between Cat and Bones. There’s one in particular that was poignant and moving, and so much more than just steamy sex.

Tavia Gilbert does not disappoint, though I had no reason to believe that she would. Her portrayal of the newest character Wraith, a mysterious stranger with a secret, is very appropriate and matches his history and background. Later in the book, a main character’s voice changes in intensity and pitch several times as he undergoes attacks from an enemy, and Gilbert takes the opportunity to flex her narration muscle and impresses the listener with how different she makes this character sound during these scenes. I wish I could tell you more because she definitely pulled me into the book and I stopped what I was doing so I could concentrate on her words and the emotions coursing through the characters.

I’ll admit that I’m biased against novellas, and it’s still my preference to read a full-length novel. I liked the storyline in Home for the Holidays and I think Frost could have made this into number eight in her series. That being said, if you’re like me and need a Night Huntress fix to tide you over until the next installment – Bound by Flames, the third in the Night Prince series which is scheduled for publication in January, Home for the Holidays will scratch the itch. It’s a fun and quick read with a touch of Christmas joy, which is perfect for this time of year when you’re busy with shopping, baking, and family.

Jessica

Narration:  A

Book Content:  A-

Steam Factor:  Glad I had my earbuds in

Violence:  Like all Night Huntress novels, there’s fighting but it’s not as bloody as the others

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Publisher:  Harper Audio