Horror Book Reviews
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Title: Nightlife (Cal Leandros | Book 1) |
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Review of Nightlife (Cal Leandros, Book 1)
- 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
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Comments for Nightlife (Cal Leandros | Book 1)
- Posted on 2008-07-23
Very entertaining!
The series follows two brothers, one half human, on their adventures to help others and stay alive from those that wish them harm. Great series, lots of action and very dry humor. With lots of interesting characters from vampires, to trolls, to a puck, and even some aliens thrown in for good measure.
Score: 4
- Posted on 2008-07-10
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother...
It took me two years to finally get around to reading this book, but thankfully, the wait was worth it. In a multitude of paranormal mysteries, this one starts out with a unique feel. Cal is part monster (elf, Auphe, Grendel, take your pick), and was treated as such by his worthless mother who named him Caliban, after Shakespeare's monster. Fortunately, Cal has an utterly devoted big half-brother, Niko, who while only human, more than makes up for it in martial arts skills, which come in handy since it seems that the nastiest monsters in the world are all out for Cal's blood.
These two are not part of some organization, or are set up as private-eyes... they are in a mystery themselves, trying to figure out how to survive a crazy world that others only have nightmares about. Sure there are the typical supernaturals... vamps and weres and Robin Goodfellow, but they are in side-roles. Primarily, Cal needs to figure out why he exists and how to get the nasty creatures he is related to to leave him alone.
The world is your basic contemporary dark/urban fantasy... but uniqueness comes from the creepy Auphes and from Cal and Nikko's relationship. I'm not sure why Nikko is such a great older brother, but he gives this paranormal tale enough of an extra dimension to fascinate me, and make me eager to see more adventures with these two characters and their growing circle of very strange friends (and enemies).
Score: 5
- Posted on 2008-06-19
Awesome!!!!
The wit in this book is incredible. Quick, fast, intelligent sarcasm brilliantly displayed. A true pleasure to read.
Score: 5 - Posted on 2008-06-10
A fun, smart, humorous, and lively read.
I wish they had a 4 1/2 rating, because this book would be deserving, and as a freshman novel, it is great. The only drawback is near the end when the banshee becomes narrator. It was a very interesting concept, and kudos for the idea, but it become a bit monotonous in style. Not enough to matter, but still...
Beyond that, this book has everything that a person who likes fantasy or paranormal novels would like. Elves, trolls, Puck, and a mud monster critter. There is some fascinating paranormal aspects, good humor, and many literary references, puns, and links for those interested. All around a great book & fun read.
Score: 4 - Posted on 2008-06-10
Nightlife
I have a weakness for contemporary fantasy. Elves (in any incarnation) in the City? I'm so there. A troll under the Brooklyn Bridge? Score! I also have a weakness for male protagonists, something that's a bit harder to find in the particular genre; most contemporary fantasy books seem to revolve around sassy women, most of whom annoy me unbearably within the first dozen pages. Imagine my excitement at finding contemporary fantasy that revolves around a sassy /male/ protagonist! My giddy 'yeah!' still hands over Lake Michigan.
This is not to say that Nightlife is great literature. Rather, it's competently written with an interesting take and a modern voice, and makes for a quick read. It's a great airport or beach book, good for one read before being passed on to the next person.
The characters are in general appealing and entertaining. Cal may be wearing with his constant angst, but his particular attitude pushes my happy buttons and the plot moves along quickly enough that said angst is overtaken by new characters and events. Niko and Robin are well developed, though some other characters are left rather vague, with only hints of what they might become. (Cal's love interest is one of those, though the hints are of impending Mary Sue-ness, if such a term can be applied to a female character of a male author.)
If anything needed more development, it would be the Auphe themselves. They're presented as a force of evil that's attempting to stage a comeback, but they're left mostly as bogeymen, something that dwells in the shadows under the bed or inside the closet, rather than as physical terrors. I'd have liked to have seen more on them. (Granted, this would have been difficult given that the entire book is told from Cal's point of view, but I would've liked to have seen it nonetheless.)
Overall, Nightlife was a fun read, one that I'd recommend to anyone looking for something easy to pick up.
Score: 4
