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Liked It2 of 2 members found this review helpful “I loved this book. It was very different and kept my interest in a way that a great urban fantasy should. I really fell in love with Cal and his brother Niko. I love books that show a positive view of siblings since I love my sister and get along so well with her. If you enjoy the relationship...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Inside Cal's head is, like, my favorite place to be. Slightly (ahem) angry and severely violent (but only sometimes.)”
Sarah wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“There are monsters among us. There always have been and there always will be. I've known that since I can remember, just like I've always known I was one......Well, half of one, anyway.
Nisareen - So Much To Read So Little Time wrote this review Friday, December 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Welcome to the Big Apple. 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--and that's only the beginning. Of course, most humans are oblivious to the preternatural nightlife around them, 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. Why? Cal hasn't exactly wanted to stick around long enough to find out.
He and his half brother, Niko, have managed to stay a step ahead for four 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. .
”
“The first sentence (which is profane) of this book immediately grips you and the story doesn't let go until the end. Cal and Niko and Robin are absolutely the most hilarious characters I've ever read. I'm not sure if a book has ever made me crack up so much. Of course, it's usually because of a dirty joke or dark comment, but that's irrelevant. One would think, given the very masculine tone, that this is written by a man. It's not. Robin, bless her, is just an amazing writer. It's a dark urban fantasy, focusing on vamps, werewolves and the Auphe, which are demon sort of things that kind of look like elves with pointy teeth. ”
Gray W wrote this review Monday, November 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I love all of Rob Thurman's Books... Cal is the best!”
Stephie (reader /w attitude) wrote this review Wednesday, November 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“It was all right. I read it mainly because the author is from Indiana and I like reading what other Hoosiers are writing. But, I probably won't read the others in the series.”
Jen wrote this review Tuesday, November 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Currently reading: Chapter 5
ninefly wrote this review Friday, October 23 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
What I do like so far:
Brothers. I always like stories about brothers, and this book does remind me a bit of Supernatural in terms of them travelling together and protecting each other from any threat. They aren't always together, but live together and keep tabs on each other, instantly suspicious of anyone that gets close to either of them. The older brother Niko's loyalty and sense of duty to protect his younger brother Cal is pretty intense, almost to the extent that he gives up his own lifestyle to revolve around him. Brotherly banter is almost a constant, which is a plus for me no matter how juvenile the writing is.
The mystery surrounding Cal's origins/interaction with the Grendles/age-skip, and the underlying threat of him becoming a "monster" does intrigue me enough to want to find out how it goes.
What I don't like so far:
The writing is a bit too keen on veering off into a convoluted adjective/metaphor-fest at random intervals. The chronology is slightly confusing when flashbacks appear (without italics/distinct text style) in the middle of a conversation.
The dialog isn't particularly stimulating, sometimes tries too hard to insert a joke in every breath, but there's the rare amusing phrase here and there.
The narrator is a bit too fixated on his own woes and takes every few paragraphs to reaffirm again that, yes, he is a monster, but I suppose that's expected of a teenager. I hope Niko gets some good character development too even if Cal is the narrator.”
“A very good book, with thrills and chills all the way through, never letting go of the wonderful dream world Thurman has created. What a book!”
Emily J wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“First book in the Cal Leandros series, about two brothers fighting monsters and other supernatural creatures. Cal (short for Caliban), the younger brother, is part demon. They befriend a healer, a psychic, and a puck. If you like "Supernatural," and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," you'd probably like this series. It suffers a little from "sassy wisecrack syndrome," but I still give it 5 stars because I devoured the book in just a few days, and now want the next one in the series.”
Tommy Kovac wrote this review Tuesday, August 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This has got to be one of my favorite book series. There is the constant abuse of sarcasm, and naturally flowing exchange of barbs, as sharp as Niko's blades. There is the dangerous, gritty and full of monsters (that aren't always as monstrous as one finds them at first glance but more often even more so) world. But I think it's the intense bond between the brothers that truly makes this book. Their worry, and fear, and desire to protect one another are not very well hidden under the constant bickering, somewhat childish name-calling and occasional ass-kicking (mostly done by 'superninja' Niko). I'd recommend this book to any fan of urban fantasy, or almost anyone with only requirement that they must have a healthy appreciation for sarcasm. And really how could I not love a book featuring a troll who lives under the Brooklyn Bridge? ”
Aelita T wrote this review Wednesday, July 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“An interesting tale of two brothers (one human [Niko] and one half monster [Cal]) struggling to stay one step ahead of the monsters hunting them. Unfortunately for them, the monsters are Cal's family, but they don't know why they're being hunted. The relationship between the brothers is what really sold this one for me. We should all be so lucky as to have such a devoted brother.
Katrina Michaels wrote this review Wednesday, July 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
If you like the Supernatural TV show, you'll like this book.”
