Nightlife
Product Type: eBooks
Product Price: $7.99
Manufacturer: Roc
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Description
In New York, there's a troll under the Brooklyn Bridge, a boggle in Central Park, and a beautiful vampire in a penthouse on the Upper East Side. Of course, most humans are oblivious to this, but Cal Leandros is only half-human. His father's dark lineage is the stuff of nightmares-and he and his entire otherworldly race are after Cal.
He and his half-brother Niko have managed to stay a step ahead for three years, but now Cal's dad has found them again. And Cal is about to learn why they want him, why they've always wanted him...for he is
Reviews
Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-07-31
Summary: "Nightlife is a hidden gem"
My mother sent this to me as me as a birthday present last year, knowing how much I love dark dramas, snarky humor and stories about the supernatural...all of which are in abundance in this book. I knew nothing about the series and my initial impression was that it would be one of those "B movie spin- offs," simply because stories of this nature are very rarely done right, whether on screen or in print. But from the first page of the first full chapter, I was completely hooked.
"Extremely freakin entertaining" is really the only way to describe this book (and the series as a whole). These characters are NOT heroes, and thank god for that. We have enough soap opera stories about tortured, often cliched, self-important characters struggling to save the world. It's enough. To have leads who are such an absolute mess, but presented with a sense of humor that mixes perfectly with the dark, intense drama behind it, is truly refreshing. But be aware, you have to love Cal. And you have to accept that above all else, it's about the characters and the dark supernatural world that they inhabit. If you can't grasp that, then you won't like the books. It's that simple.
Caliban is a jackass. He's a rude, self-absorbed, obnoxious brat who knows exactly how to get under people's skin. And I love him for it. I feel that his character works very well and is really funny. Naturally, though, this isn't for everyone. He is going to rub some readers the wrong way, especially those looking for a more "polished" narrative (which, in my opinion, would ruin everything that makes the book great). This isn't the author's style...it's Cal's. Thurman captures a cynical, dysfunctional 19-year-old boy with a dark sense of humor and a horrid past, and runs like the wind with it. I think the result is absolutely amazing. If for some reason you can't get into that style, then these books aren't for you. But if you can accept snarky Caliban for who he is, and appreciate the wit and the humor that goes along with it, you'll find him to be a lot of fun and eventually very endearing.
I couldn't really get into big brother Niko in this first chapter. I found him hard to relate to. Luckily, that changes a lot in later books. Robin, however, is one of the greatest fictional characters out there. From the first paragraph where he's introduced, I absolutely adored him. He's vain, ridiculously talkative and completely obsessed with sex. This never changes (thankfully, it's one of the reasons he's such a hilarious, endearing character), but you also come to find that he's also painfully lonely, extremely loyal to his new friends, courageous, wise, and has a real dark side when he's forced to show it. Fantastic job bringing a beloved mythological character into a modern setting.
Supporting players like Promise, Georgina and Samuel are okay. I didn't feel particularly connected to any of them but they're not the focus of the story and are interesting enough for characters that come and go. Villanous creatures like the Auphe and Darkling are great monsters, very creepy and imaginative, and described beautifully in a simple but effective way that makes them so easy to envision it's like watching a movie. The change in narrator later on (Cal to possessed Cal) is a bit disconcerting but definitely gets points for originality and is easier to appreciate the second time around.
In summary, Nightlife is a great start to a phenomenal series that only gets better. It's got action, intensity, humor, great characters and a wonderful style, and gives a stellar look into "the other side" of life in the big city. It captured my interest right from the start and kept me riveted straight through the end, resulting in a few late-night reading sessions that lasted well into morning. In spite of Cal's age and immaturity, this isn't a teen book and is definitely not for young readers. It's not about romance or childish angst...it's about violence, loneliness, monsters, desperation and the very screwed up result of mixing them all together. Clearly, that's not for everyone. But it absolutely worked for me. Highly recommended to all.
Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-06-26
Summary: "Meet the Leandros brothers."
I've waited far too long to meet the Leandros brothers, and man, what a ride.
Teenager Cal Leandors is half-human, half-monster. Mom Sophia was an uncaring gypsy swindler/hooker and daddy was a special brand of evil elf called Auphe (the Auphe are nightmarish creatures whose hobbies include slaughter, torture and world-domination -- not necessarily in that order). Niko, Cal's older half-brother, a lethal blond do-it-yourself Ninja, is Cal's only family and his sole protector. Together the brothers flee across the U.S., running away from the Auphe.
The Auphe want Cal, and want him bad... Why?
And have the monsters finally caught up with the Leandros brothers in their current New York hideout?
In a plot full of clever twists and turns, through Cal's sarcastic/dark voice, Ms. Thurman artfully lets the story unfold. I think Nightlife is a brilliant, highly original urban fantasy. What makes it extra-special is the tough-love-kick-each-other's-ass relationship between Cal and Niko, as well as Thurman's original take on monsters/mythology. Only caveat: To enjoy the ride, you gotta love Cal's voice. Cal is a strong narrator, and he doesn't pull his punches. So if you think Cal is irritating, you will probably end up throwing your book (or iPad/iPod Touch/Kindle/Sony Reader/Nook -- take your pick) against the nearest wall.
As for me? I LOVED Cal. I kept laughing out loud reading his snarky comments. Loved, loved, LOVED the style. I give it 5 outta 5 for kick-ass style and originality, and I'm willing to ignore some plot issues (one of which being, why the hell did the Auphe leave Cal with Sophia in the first place, why didn't they just take baby Cal to Tumulus and raised him there, hmmm? But then we wouldn't have a story, right? LOL).
Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-06-16
Summary: "A Dark Whirl through NY"
As a fan of the Dresden Files and early Anita Blake books, I stumbled upon this series and what a pleasant surprise! While many urban fantasy series can become repetitive or alike, Nightlife sticks out as a wonderful gem. Set in New York, the series really revolves around the relationship of the two brothers, Niko and Cal Leandros, who form the soul of the story. Their absolute loyalty and belief in each other as they snark, snipe, and kick ass is great fun and also heartwarming. A great beginning to a wonderful series.
Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-05-07
Summary: "Nightlife (Cal Leandros series)"
Why is the Cal Leandros series different from other urban fantasy series? Why should you pick this book up instead of another series?
Because it is a wonderful, engrossing series about two brothers who are finally tired of running. Cal has been running from his monster father and entire species all his life. Niko's been there to protect him from the day he was born. In this book, they finally decide to try and stop running. But you can read the product description for a plot summary.
Sound a little like Supernatural? They are similar. Fans of one would probably like the other. But they are also their own seperate entities.
But why this series? There's something gritty about it. Rob Thurman holds no punches when running the characters through figurative fiery hoops. The characters feel like people one could actually meet, and the many of the places they go are real places (New York City). It's written fast-paced, visual, and, well, in the point of view of a twenty-something-year-old young man.
The world Thurman creates feels real. Based loosely off lore, she twists it around so that today's myths are long games of telephone from the 'actual thing'.
The characters feel human. Cal could be my little brother. Yes, the "brooding pale guy with black hair" main character seems pretty cookie cutter, but as the book (and the series) progresses, he becomes relateable. All the characters become likeable despite their flaws and the reader's initial thoughts.
Do not start this series expecting a bodice-ripper or a story filled with heartfelt cinematic love. It isn't, and that's something that I appreciate. Do expect offhand mention of and convenient memory loss due to gratuitous sex and orgies, courteousy of (friend and fellow monster killer) Robin Goodfellow. Who goes both ways and none of the above. Cal and Niko also have their respective girls, but their love lives are not flaunted and drawn out with big, pretty words.
This is not a romance series. It doesn't need to be.
It is one of those series where I would start reading each book and find myself at 4 AM, not having put it down and wondering if I really need to sleep. I still go back and reread the books.
There are times I find myself laughing without knowing it. Or crying, but that's a bit spoilerish. Or in utter, abject disbelief and having to reread sentences over just to make sure I wasn't misreading what just happened. All in all, it's just a fun series. Hence getting off my apathetic butt and actually trying to get people to read it.
Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-05-06
Summary: "Nightlife is Life"
When I first read Nightlife about three years, ago, I got distracted halfway through. My cousin persisted, though so I finished. I have now read all five books twice over, and have also read Thurman's other series, Trick of the Light, two times. Nightlife is by far the greatest book series I have ever read, and I find it inspiring in so many ways. Thurman creates an entire world around her characters. I am desperately in love with Cal and Niko, and wait impatiently every year for the next book to come out.
If I had to sell Nightlife to someone in a sentence:
Nightlife is Twilight's bigger, more badass gun toting brother.
Anyone who has read Twilight and thinks its a fine piece of literature should read Nightlife.
I have bought every single one of Thurman's books, and have recommended them heavily to my friends so that they will do the same. All that have read it have loved it.
Buy this book, it is worth every cent, I promise you will love it.
