Bitten by Books
There once was a puck who liked to…
Okay, so there’s more to Nightlife by Rob Thurman than a randy puck who has no qualms with whom he beds. There are also psychotic creatures who were alive when dinosaurs roamed the earth, a half-bred cranky man-child, and Niko, no adjectives needed.
Cal and his half-brother, Niko, have been on the run as long as they can remember. Their mother would do anything for money—and did. Cal is the product of one of her lucrative arrangements. He didn’t get the normal disappointing genes filled with alcoholism or drug abuse; no, his genes are full of deadly intent and a thirst for blood. A species called the Auphe needed a half-breed to take over the world, and Cal has that singular honor.
For the first time in years, the brothers Leandros feel comfortable enough to stay put. They like New York, and though New York may not like them, it doesn’t try to stab them in their sleep. It’s a step up from their normal run-for-your-life routine. They even make a friend, albeit a horny, ancient, and slightly crooked one—though not in that way. But complacency is a sin of its own. It’s easy for the Auphe to find them, even in the city that never sleeps. This battle is far more than a family squabble; the Auphe want control, not just of Cal, but of the world.
Whenever I need an escape from hearts and flowers, I pick up a Rob Thurman book. Nightlife was introduced to me a few years ago, and I had no idea what to expect. Almost everything in the genre focuses on doomed lovers or destined mates, but not this series. Every second of this book is a vividly descriptive punch to the gut. Rob pulls no punches when it comes to her characters. She makes them live their nightmares and learn from them, or die trying, all the way sneaking in a few snarky lines or comedic respite. After all, even a half-mad monster like Cal can’t be all skulls and crossbones all the time.
Book Stats:
- Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Roc (March 7, 2006)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0451460758
- ISBN-13: 978-0451460752
Buy a print copy of Nightlife from Amazon by clicking here.
Buy a Kindle copy of Nightlife from Amazon by clicking here.
Books in the Cal Leandros series in the order they should be read:
Nightlife
Moonshine
Madhouse
Deathwish
Roadkill
Blackout
Double Take
Slashback
Downfall
Nevermore
Review Overview
Overall Rating
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Summary : Whenever I need an escape from hearts and flowers, I pick up a Rob Thurman book. Nightlife was introduced to me a few years ago, and I had no idea what to expect. Almost everything in the genre focuses on doomed lovers or destined mates, but not this series. Every second of this book is a vividly descriptive punch to the gut. Rob pulls no punches when it comes to her characters. She makes them live their nightmares and learn from them, or die trying, all the way sneaking in a few snarky lines or comedic respite. After all, even a half-mad monster like Cal can’t be all skulls and crossbones all the time.
Thanks for this post. I’ve been meaning to read this book for a while.
Rob is, IMHO, one of the great voices in the genre and always one of my first suggestions when guys are asking about what to read.
I just finished reading this and I’m HOOKED, absolutely hooked on the characters and their world.