Showing posts with label Rob Thurman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rob Thurman. Show all posts

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Slashback (Cal Leandros, #8) by Rob Thurman

Slashback (Cal Leandros, #8)Slashback by Rob Thurman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I stopped and let them circle me, first because it was intriguing and, second, because, honestly, what could they do? Only knives, but all armed, and that made them even more interesting. Interesting. Fun.

Playtime…

Taking on bloodthirsty supernatural monsters is how Caliban and Niko Leandros make a living. But years ago—before they became a force to be reckoned with—the brothers were almost victims of a very human serial killer.

Almost.

Unfortunately for them, that particular depraved killer was working as apprentice to a creature far more malevolent—the legendary Spring-heeled Jack. He’s just hit town. He hasn’t forgotten what the Leandros brothers did to his murderous protégé. He hasn’t forgotten what they owe him.

And now they are going to pay… and pay… and pay.…

~~~


I am glad that Thurman seems to be going back to the action that I enjoyed so much in the earlier books in this series. A lot of information came out in this book. Robin's tie to the Leandros brothers. Things that happened in the past that relate to who and what the brothers are today. A lot of loose ends were tied up, but at the same time a lot was left open to the possibility of new story lines. I have not seen anything about rather another book is in the works for this series but with all of the things still left open I am certainly hoping so.



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Saturday, October 12, 2013

Doubletake (Cal Leandros, #7) by Rob Thurman

Doubletake (Cal Leandros, #7)Doubletake by Rob Thurman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Half-human/half-monster Cal Leandros knows that family is a pain. But now that pain belongs to his half-brother, Niko. Niko's shady father is in town, and he needs a big favor. Even worse is the reunion being held by the devious Puck race-including the Leandros' friend, Robin- featuring a lottery that no Puck wants to win.

As Cal tries to keep both Niko and Robin from paying the ultimate price for their kin, a horrific reminder from Cal's own past arrives to remind him that blood is thicker than water-and that's why it's so much more fun to spill.

~~~~~~



I am glad that the author has gone back to her excellent use of nonstop action to keep the novel moving along. I am glad that Cal has begun to accept what/who he is and that the author moved away from all of the philosophical waxing that was rampant in the last couple of books. I love the relationship between Cal and Niko and the fact that nothing can ever come between them. The introduction of Grimm allows us to explore the Auphe aspect of Cal from a different point of view. We can now see what Cal could have been if not for the bond with Niko while still holding on to the possibility that Cal can retain his humanity.



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Monday, February 4, 2013

Blackout (Cal Leandros #6) by Rob Thurman

Blackout (Cal Leandros, #6)Blackout by Rob Thurman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


When half-human Cal Leandros wakes up on a beach littered with the slaughtered remains if a variety of hideous creatures, he's not that concerned. In fact, he can't remember anything-including who he is.

And that's just the way his deadly enemies like it...



This is the second book in this series that I really did not care much for. The entire book was made up of philosophical waxing by Cal. "Is Cal good or bad?" How the author managed to keep that line going throughout the entire book baffles me. What little action (one of the things that I loved about the earlier books) in this book was dull and almost an afterthought. I really hope that the next book in this series takes me back to the Cal Leandros books that I loved about this series. Such a shame when an author turns such a good thing into a ho hum book.



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Monday, December 24, 2012

Wolfsbane and Mistletoe by Charlaine Harris, Toni L.P. Kelner , Kat Richardson, Alan Gordon, Carrie Vaughn , Patricia Briggs , Dana Stabenow , Nancy Pickard, Karen Chance, Keri Arthur, Rob Thurman

Wolfsbane and MistletoeWolfsbane and Mistletoe by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The editors of "Many Bloody Returns" deliver the perfect howl-iday gift, with new tales from Patricia Briggs, Carrie Vaughn, and many more.

"New York Times" bestselling authors Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Keri Arthur, and Carrie Vaughn—along with eleven other masters of the genre—offer all-new stories on werewolves and the holidays, a fresh variation on the concept that worked so well with birthdays and vampires in "Many Bloody Returns."

The holidays can bring out the beast in anyone. They are particularly hard for lycanthropes. Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner have harvested the scariest, funniest and saddest werewolf tales by an outstanding pack of authors, best read by the light of a full moon with a silver bullet close at hand.

Whether wolfing down a holiday feast (use your imagination) or craving some hair of the dog on New Year's morning, the werewolves in these frighteningly original stories will surprise, delight, amuse, and scare the pants off readers who love a little wolfsbane with their mistletoe.

~~~

Very much enjoyed this anthology of Christmas werewolf stories. Of course with the line up of authors here I am not surprised. There were some great takes on Santa -- From Santa Claws(an evil werewolf hunting monster) to Santa (the Saint of many things, including werewolves (poor Rudolph though). A few vampires and lots of different weres made these stories wonderfully entertaining!



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Saturday, April 17, 2010

Roadkill (Cal Leandros, #5) by Rob Thurman

Roadkill (Cal Leandros, #5) Roadkill by Rob Thurman


New from the national bestselling author of Deathwish

It's time to lock, load, and hit the road...

Once, while half-human Cal Leandros and his brother Niko were working on a case, an ancient gypsy queen gave them a good old-fashioned backstabbing. Now, just as their P.I. business hits a slow patch, the old crone shows up with a job.

She wants them to find a stolen coffin that contains a blight that makes the Black Death seem like a fond memory. But the thief has already left town, so the Leandros brothers are going on the road. And if they're very, very lucky, there might even be a return trip...



My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I really like this series but this book was just okay for me. Not a lot of the action that I have come to expect from the Leandros brothers. Much more philosophical musing in this book as compared to previous books.

On the plus side it was interesting to learn more about Rafferty and his cousin, Catcher, who we met in a previous book.

I didn't care for the Cal/Auphe aspect or even the Cal/Delilah line.

Hoping the next book goes back to what was great in the earlier books.

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Sunday, July 19, 2009

Deathwish (Cal Leandros, Book 4) by Rob Thurman

Deathwish (Cal Leandros, Book 4) Deathwish by Rob Thurman


In a nightmarish new york city, life is there for the taking...

Half-human Cal Leandros and his brother Niko are hired by the vampire Seamus to find out who has been following him—until Seamus turns up dead (or un-undead). Worse still is the return of Cal’s nightmarish family, the Auphe. The last time Cal and Niko faced them, they were almost wiped out. Now, the Auphe want revenge. But first, they’ll destroy everything Cal holds dear...


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another enjoyable story about Cal & Niko. The Auphe who managed to survive their last encounter with Cal & Niko are back and bent on revenge. They have promised to kill everyone that Cal cares about and only then deal with Cal himself. We also meet Cherish, Promise's wayward daughter (who btw Niko knew nothing about). Needless to say she is NOT a chip off the old block.
I do have a complaint. I very much disliked how the author jumped back and forth between Nik and Cal narrating the book. Each chapter would change from one to the other and I did not like it. If anything I think it took away from the story since we got a lot of introspection from each character as well as the story.
Looking forward to the next chapter in the lives of Nik & Cal.
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Saturday, September 20, 2008

Madhouse: Cal Leandro #3 by Rob Thurman

Madhouse: Cal Leandro, Book 3 Madhouse: Cal Leandro, Book 3 by Rob Thurman


From the back of the book

My brother had spent a lifetime - mine, at least - telling me that I was normal, that I wasn't a monster. With his help, I';d finally realized that as long as I could remain who I was, I could survive what I was. It was only bad genes.......

Half-human Cal Leandros and his brother, Niko, aren't exactly prospering with their preternatural detective agency. Who could have guessed that business would dry up in New York City, where vampires, trolls, and other creepy crawlies are all over the place?

But now there's a new arrival in the Big Apple. A malevolent evil with ancient powers, dead set on making history with on orgy of blood and murder, is picking off humans like sheep. And for Cal and Niko, this is one paycheck they're going to have to earn..if they live long enough to collect it.



My review


rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another great book in this series. I was happy that the author gave us more background on Goodfellow and Promise. I like that the guys are bringing more people (beings) into their circle of trust. I like Ishiah and the possibilities of what he is and how he fits into the story.



Loved the ending and very much looking forward to the next book "Deathwish" due out in February, I believe.


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Monday, June 16, 2008

Moonshine (Cal Leandros #2) by Rob Thurman

Moonshine Moonshine by Rob Thurman


From the Publisher
After saving the world from his fiendish father's side of the family, Cal Leandros and his stalwart half-brother Niko have settled down with new digs and a new gig-bodyguard and detective work. And in New York City, where preternatural beings stalk the streets just like normal folk, business is good. Their latest case has them going undercover for the Kin-the werewolf Mafia. A low-level Kin boss thinks a rival is setting him up for a fall, and wants proof. The place to start is the back room of Moonshine-a gambling club for non-humans. Cal thinks it's a simple in-and-out job. But Cal is very, very wrong.

Cal and Niko are being set up themselves-and the people behind it have a bite much worse than their bark...



My review


rating: 5 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this second book more than the first. The characters have been developed and the storyline was interesting.



When Cal's would be girlfriend, George-- a psychic-- is kidnapped, Cal, Niko and their friends are forced into a battle with the Kin. The Kin are werewolves who rule the city. As Cal and group chase after a crown with unknown powers they are forced to battle all sorts of monsters, some of their own making.



A very good read and I am looking forward to the next in the series.


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Saturday, June 14, 2008

Nightlife (Cal Leandros book 1) by Rob Thurman

Nightlife (Cal Leandros book 1, Roc Fantasy) Nightlife by Rob Thurman


From the Publisher
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: He is the key to unleashing their hell on earth. The fate of the human world will be decided in the fight of Cal's life....



My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have been reading a lot of Urban Fantasy books lately an this one was pretty good. The premise is a little different than most. Instead of being about a hero who is out to save the world from the monsters, we have a monster who is running to save himself. Or at least that is what he thinks.



Cal is a half breed. A one of a kind. He is half human and half Auphe, which is an elf, but a very dark version of an elf. Cal grows up with his older half-brother, Niko, taking care of him, knowing that he is different, but not really knowing why or how. One day when he is 14 years old he finds out exactly what he is and why he was created. From that point on he and Niko are on the run for their lives.



Eventually the Auphe catch up with them in New York City and a full scale war ensues. Then the world saving kicks in.



A good read, with a very interesting character change up about 2/3 of the way through, which I thought was interesting and brave on the part of the author.



Quite a few very interesting characters who I became involved with and want to hear more about. Looking forward to the next book, which I am starting now.


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