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Doubletake (Cal Leandros #7)

by Rob Thurman (Goodreads Author)

4.19 of 5 stars 4.19 · rating details · 1,095 ratings · 137 reviews

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 payin...more

Mass Market Paperback, 339 pages

Published March 6th 2012 by Roc

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May 05, 2013 Carol rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: hardcore Thurman fans only

Recommended to Carol by: unfortunately, me. I should ignore me.

Shelves: urban-fantasy, male-lead, supernatural-mystery

This isn't a novel as much as a short story strung together with a novella and padded with a buttload of recap and filler. (For those of you that missed Susanne and me in chemistry 101 at Occidental College, a 'buttload' generally means 'enough to spill over the sides of whatever containment device you may be using,' resulting in a mad rush to the neutralizer. Sodium bicarbonate was our friend).

At any rate, the lowdown is that the first section is taken up with a worldwide puck reunion, providin...more
This isn't a novel as much as a short story strung together with a novella and padded with a buttload of recap and filler. (For those of you that missed Susanne and me in chemistry 101 at Occidental College, a 'buttload' generally means 'enough to spill over the sides of whatever containment device you may be using,' resulting in a mad rush to the neutralizer. Sodium bicarbonate was our friend).

At any rate, the lowdown is that the first section is taken up with a worldwide puck reunion, providing the opportunity for Robin the puck to make about a hundred sexual innuendos about the size of his parts and who he's used them with, and Cal to voice his adolescent disgust at sexual intimacy another hundred times. As a self-contained character highlight, it doesn't fit with the rest of the book in plot or focus. In a great--or even good--book, a character might get a chance to do a solo jam, but it should be integrated with the rest of the music. Here it's not. Moreover, the sexual jokes are repetitive and, ultimately, not funny after the first eyeroll. Terminal boredom.

At the same time, Niko's father appears on the doorstep, providing an opportunity for Cal to tell us all about his philosophy of brotherly love, just in case we missed it in the first six books. In fact, Cal will tell what brotherly affection means about every other page. I'm not kidding, people. It's 'tell don't show' to the nth degree. It also gives a chance to recap their upbringing and (again) complain about their mother's lack of motherly instincts and emotional attachment. It is unbelievably repetitious, borderline misogynist, and used as a crutch for antagonism between Cal and Niko's father. It's extremism gives me pause, because Cal's arguments consist of 1) you left Niko with a monster--our mother, and 2) you left Niko with a monster--me. Boring and worthless plot-wise, because 1) their mom is dead since book one, and 2) Cal's supposed to have made 'peace' with the degree of his monstrosity.

Once the pucks clear out of New York, the focus shifts to the main plot, specifically, some sort of supernatural hunting the brothers, using a mechanical device as a stalking horse. As far as plots go, it's a rehash of the earlier books with the Auphe--bad monster, people as food, world domination, yada yada. Cal's "mental defect" of being unable to build more than one transportation gate every three days is the deux ex machina that gives an out from untenable situations but limits Cal's power so that he can be up against a tougher antagonist.

I was also irritated by the portentous but vague reappearance of old character in the antagonist's thoughts, a character that hasn't been seen for a number of books, abandoned as a plot line. To bring back a character, hint that something awful happened but then refuse to elaborate on what/why is a cheap attempt to develop tension and emotional engagement. I wonder if Thurman feels she has to engage us through harm to a likeable character because it's so challenging to empathize with our three main men, Niko, Cal and Robin?

Ultimately, Thurman seems to have run out of ideas on how to make her plots interesting. The last two books had jump-started my interest in the series, and this one reminded me of everything I don't like--Cal's endless snark (trope:first person smartass), the repetitive writing, the general oinkism from using tropey-trope characters (the hero, the modern anti-hero, the sexual deviant) For me, this has become again a library-only series to read if/when I get around to it.

Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/0...(less)

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Mar 10, 2012 Shortlatte rated it 5 of 5 stars

Since the beginning, Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros series has been fueled by the undeniable brotherly bond between Cal and Niko. Doubletake drags this relationship that serves as the heart of the series and puts it front and center, analyzing the many meanings of family and the lengths to which one will go to defend one's blood.

I read for the characters, and most times this proclivity leads me to champion books with strong romantic threads. Yet the relationship between Cal and Niko rivals all oth...more Since the beginning, Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros series has been fueled by the undeniable brotherly bond between Cal and Niko. Doubletake drags this relationship that serves as the heart of the series and puts it front and center, analyzing the many meanings of family and the lengths to which one will go to defend one's blood.

I read for the characters, and most times this proclivity leads me to champion books with strong romantic threads. Yet the relationship between Cal and Niko rivals all others that I've come across, romantic, platonic, or familial. Throughout seven books, Thurman has thrown every despicable circumstance you could imagine at these two, and they haven't always emerged unscathed or complete. No matter how large and ominous a threat might be to either brother individually, no matter how much damage it might do on a personal level, both Cal and Niko have grown through their sacrifices for each other. Neither is the same as when the series began, and whether their evolutions are for better or for worse may remain to be seen, though I personally admire the direction in which Thurman has taken her characters. In Doubletake, both Cal and Niko show the strain that the events of previous books has taken, while proving that the extent to which they will go to save each other is yet unproven.

The theme of Doubletake is family, and nearly every character is accordingly afflicted with some form of familial problem. In the midst of the ensuing chaos, we gain some interesting insight into key characters, with revelations concerning Robin and Niko shedding some light on the path each has taken so far while at the same time raising major questions for the future. I found the many plot threads to be somewhat more disparate than in past installments, Blackout in particular, yet as the novel nears the midway point Thurman shows that even seemingly disconnected events have their place in the larger scheme of things. The action is unrelenting as usual, though for once I missed Thurman's usual trademark humor. I counted only five or so occasions on which I laughed out loud, a low mark indeed for this reader who otherwise almost never laughs while reading. Still, Thurman hits her stride in balancing plot propulsion with character progression, and manages to throw in a few shocking twists that will undoubtedly cast reverberations in upcoming books.

Though I never quite forget the strength of Thurman's writing, each new book nevertheless throws me for a loop. She is truly at the top of her genre; I only regret the year or more until we next get to catch up with Cal and company.

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Apr 08, 2012 Tarl rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

Overall a good book in the Cal series, though not as good as some of the ones that came before it. The writing is strong as always and the general feel of the story is enjoyable to read. I think it adds a lot to potential plot threads and opens up the story to go some pretty interesting places.

That said, one of the things that didn't work as well as it should have in this book was the foreshadowing. There are a couple moments where you see it, and unfortunatly it's pretty blatant when you do com...more

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Jan 19, 2013 Bonnie McDaniel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, fiction

This is a very good book in the overall series, and gets the author out of a corner I thought she had painted herself into. As first envisioned, the villains in this series were one of the creepiest, nastiest, most kick-ass I had ever read...and the author killed them off early in the series! This may have made sense to the overall plot, but the series suffered because of it. Ms. Thurman invented different villains for the past few books, and they were entertaining for the most part, but let's j...more

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Oct 29, 2012 Katepc rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have a question. Why wasn't Cal taken away from his mother and locked in a cage with the others? And also, meh.

The contribution of women plummeted to an all time low with Promise present for an entire scene in which she said and contributed nothing and was referred to, I think, twice. The most important part played by women in this book was the captive succubae farm. So we're back to women being a necessary evil in this world - objects the author can use to push the plot along, and to be disc...more

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Jun 01, 2012 Lilith K rated it 3 of 5 stars

I picked this up on a flashtrip to the bookstore. I had very little time to peruse the merchandise. I remembered seeing this book series on Goodreads and it piqued my interest. They didn't have the first of the series, which was fine.

I usually don't mind skipping the first book if I'm curious about a series. The first book can be hit or miss but usually the second or third is better crafted and will set the tone for future books. When I picked this one up I was told that it was the second in th...more

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May 21, 2012 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, arcs, urban

Filthy and profane and fabulous, DOUBLETAKE seduced me with it's sly wit and cavalier heroes. Though this was my first Cal Leandros book, Thurman's combination of recap and forward momentum meant I dove in without a hitch. Robin Goodfellow's Panic flew by in a haze of hormones and g-strings, and by the tim things moved on to murderous automatons and mummified cats, I was hooked.

Though the first third of DOUBLETAKE was an entertaining rush, switching gears from horny pucks to a homicidal nemesis...more

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May 20, 2012 Ranting Dragon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: janea

There’s no one who does dark urban fantasy quite like Rob Thurman. For those who are used to the styles of Patricia Briggs or Jim Butcher, Thurman is a completely different kettle of fish. There’s no glamor, little romance, some camp, and a whole lot of snark. Her voice is unique and utterly unmistakable, as are the tales she tells. She has three ongoing series: companion series Cal Leandros and Trickster, and Chimera.

Doubletake is the seventh book in Thurman’s Cal Leandros series, which started...more There’s no one who does dark urban fantasy quite like Rob Thurman. For those who are used to the styles of Patricia Briggs or Jim Butcher, Thurman is a completely different kettle of fish. There’s no glamor, little romance, some camp, and a whole lot of snark. Her voice is unique and utterly unmistakable, as are the tales she tells. She has three ongoing series: companion series Cal Leandros and Trickster, and Chimera.

Doubletake is the seventh book in Thurman’s Cal Leandros series, which started with her debut novel Nightlife. The series follows protagonist and narrator Cal, a half-human half-Auphe, and his fully human brother Niko. They function as private investigators, bodyguards, and hitmen for the supernatural community in New York City, receiving occasional help from the puck Robin Goodfellow and a vampire named Promise.

A Story About Family
Family is everywhere in Doubletake. It’s been an ever present theme in the series, as Cal and Niko’s brotherly relationship is the one thing Cal values above all other things, but in this book that theme is expanded. The millennial gathering of pucks is in town, giving the reader a glimpse of what passes for familial relationships in a race that doesn’t have fathers, mothers, or siblings. It also gives the reader some meaningful backstory on Robin Goodfellow, who is otherwise extremely closemouthed about pucks or anything that would actually provide more insight to Goodfellow as a person. Niko meets him for the first time when he shows up on the doorstep and asks Niko and Cal for help tracking down and containing an escaped automaton of the Vayash Clan of Rom. Finally, Cal is confronted by another half-human half-Auphe, and they realize what each of them could have been had their lives gone just a bit differently.

Good things that just get better
For me, Thurman has continued to grow and mature as an author with every book. As the Cal Leandros series begins, it feels like Thurman had a few ideas for future books when she wrote Nightlife, then kept getting contracts for more Cal books long after her initial ideas had run out. This resulted in rather episodic books rather than books building one upon the other plot-wise. The book previous to Doubletake, Blackout, started building some hefty multi-book story arcs, and Doubletake continues this trend. Thurman’s writing has gotten better in other ways as well, with multiple story lines within the book intersecting well, and not in obvious ways. Thurman’s descriptions and battles just get tighter and better with every book she writes. Her characters are also increasingly complex. Thurman was good at writing a character who would tell you one thing and then do something completely different in a believable manner when she began her career, and now I don’t know of anyone else who can match her skill.

Never an easy read
Cal is not fully human, and even if he was, his experiences growing up have damaged him severely. His narration is very snarky, can meander at times, and he’s constantly struggling to keep his violent, sociopathic tendencies in check. He also deeply dislikes himself. In every book, he makes strides towards deciding who he is going to be and accepting who he is. By book seven, he’s in a very different place mentally and emotionally than he was in book one, but that doesn’t make his narration emotionally easy to read. Through Cal, Thurman will make you laugh at times, but his darker moments will also leave you somewhat disturbed. I should also mention there’s a lot of backstory and a lot of worldbuilding that’s been done in previous books. While Thurman does an excellent job of refreshing your memory when necessary, she doesn’t go over old ground. This is not the book of hers to pick up first.

Why you should read this book?
First of all, if you’re a fan of urban or contemporary fantasy, I’d consider Thurman’s work must reads. They’re dark, gritty, edgy, and funny all the same time. Once again, there’s nothing exactly like it out there. Now may also be a good time to get into Thurman, as I’m guessing there’s going to be a break in her release cycle after Doubletake. She was in a car accident this fall that left her hospitalized, and her town (though not her house) got hit by the recent string of tornadoes that went through Indiana this past month. So while I shall be sadly and anxiously awaiting the next release, you have time to catch up! However, if you don’t like books that are narrated by deeply introspective and morally questionable characters, the Cal Leandros series may not be your cup of tea.(less)

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May 19, 2012 OpenBookSociety.com rated it 4 of 5 stars

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Verushka

I’ve always been a huge fan of Rob Thurman’s Cal Leandros series. I discovered it just as I discovered Supernatural on television and while I’ve since stopped watching Supernatural, I’ve remained a fan of this series. Cal and Niko remain in this novel fiercely devoted to each other, no matter what. That strength and Thurman’s adept touch at bringing their life together has made this series riveting reading, but I found this one to be somewhat uneven.

The boo...more Brought to you by OBS reviewer Verushka

I’ve always been a huge fan of Rob Thurman’s Cal Leandros series. I discovered it just as I discovered Supernatural on television and while I’ve since stopped watching Supernatural, I’ve remained a fan of this series. Cal and Niko remain in this novel fiercely devoted to each other, no matter what. That strength and Thurman’s adept touch at bringing their life together has made this series riveting reading, but I found this one to be somewhat uneven.

The book opens with Robin hiring Cal and Niko to police a Puck family reunion. Hot on the heels of this job, Cal and Niko have family reunions of a sort of their own. Niko’s father Kalakos reappears asking for their help in tracking down a monster called Janus who is homing in on those with Vayash blood and killing them, which means the brothers are targets. This metal monster was made by Haphaestus and, yes, he’s alive and Robin goes above and beyond in dealing with him. Cal’s “family reunion” is with another half-Auphe called Grimm who needs him to rebuild the Auphe race.

Don’t get me wrong – Thurman’s writing is in top form here. I got more of a sense of how Cal views his brother and how much he knows Niko has given up for him. Thurman also shows us in a tender, sad way why nothing and no-one will come between Cal and Niko through a small flashback that had me tearing up.

What didn’t work in this novel was the balance and focus on Grimm and Kalakos in the novel. While Kalakos plays an important part of the conclusion to the novel, he is barely a presence through the novel, he hovers in the background mostly, while Grimm has more of a presence instead. Had Kalakos had more of a presence, had we had more of an insight into him and Niko and that relationship fleshed out more – even if all Niko felt for him was hate – this novel would have been better for it.

Another consequence of this uneven balance in the focus afforded to characters is that Robin, despite having a strong presence in the beginning of the book, suddenly disappears and calls in with some information. On the one hand, this gave Thurman some chance to focus on Grimm and Kalakos and the brothers, but because the writing accompanying these characters was so uneven and Robin’s exit for this book just as uneven, in the end, none of it worked. Robin’s absence and the way Thurman explained was a glaring problem in the book for me, especially as Cal kept noting how Robin would never disappear on them. And as a reader of this series for seven books now, I couldn’t agree more.

In the end, a disappointing addition to the Leandros series.

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Apr 17, 2012 Kathy Davie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Seventh in the Cal Leandros dark urban fantasy series about the sole remaining Auphe demon and his brother, Niko. Based in New York City where the supernaturals are all around us...and we haven't a clue.

My Take
I do love this series! Thurman is so dark, but, at the same time, too hilariously funny. I just love the sarcasm and Cal's perspective on life. And his snarky T-shirts! And then when Thurman explores that taboo zone of unmanliness—sharing one's feelings—well, there's only so much a girl ca...more

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Mar 17, 2012 Hali Sowle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: rob-thurman, cal-leandros-series, kindle

There is a lot that goes on in this book from the very start. Not only is there a Puck convention coming to town that has scared every paranormal being out of Manhattan but Niko's dad shows up too, apparently it is old home week with nobody's family being very welcome. But the family reunions aren't quite done yet, there's one more to come in the book and it's quite the doozy. And because of them all Cal's thinning humanity is more at risk and the bond between Niko and Cal - "brothers before sou...more

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Mar 12, 2012 Tracy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Hey, Supernatural fans? You've delved into the world of Cal and Niko yet? If not, do it! Start at the beginning though with Nighlife as it'll make everything make sense and then you get to enjoy this latest installment of the Cal books, Doubletake. With all our favorite players, Cal, Niko, Robin, Promise and the introduction of a great new villian in Grimm and add the spice of Niko's lost lost father coming into the picture...it all makes for another fun, action-packed and solid read from one of...more

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Mar 10, 2012 Vick rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: angst-butter, assholes-are-great, bromanticles, i-shall-poke-you-with-my-sword, i-will-not-let-them-win, my-crazy-makes-me-brilliant, sentient-object-of-doomydoom, serial-killer-fun, supernatural-talent-of-doom, urban-fantasticles, bazookas-are-definately-not-overkil

How many times does it need to be said before you totally believe that Cal and Nico are the tightest-of-the-tightest-wedgies..cannot-seperate-them-due-to-their-black-hole-like-gravity-to-each-others-lives...hell, their-souls-must-be-super-glued-together-brothers in the universe?

I think maybe 2 more times before I think I may have it.

Overall the story was pretty good especially with (view spoiler)...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Peorthmoon rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Peorthmoon by: Goodreads

Shelves: best-of-the-best

Without spilling any spoilers, I will proudly say that this is a triumphant testament to the creativity of the human race. I bought a copy of Doubletake on opening day, and I am not disappointed. Mind you, I am The World's Pickiest Reader. Before Cal and Niko, not too many heroes or even heroines occupied my shelf. You would have seen Sharon Shinn and Jacqueline Carey on my bookshelf, accompanied by tumbleweeds and crickets.

Rob Thurman has made my bookshelf and life even brighter than a diamond....more

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Feb 04, 2012 E. rated it 4 of 5 stars

4 3/4 stars

My Night Owl Review:

“Doubletake” by the talented Rob Thurman is another of her thrilling dark paranormal tales of those fascinating brothers, Niko and Cal Leandros. The surprises continue to unfold as Cal continues to deal with the repercussions of his sacrifice of even more of his humanity (“Brothers Before Souls”) and the handicap of only being able to Gate twice without a refractory period to recover without risking death. The repudiated ties to the Vayash clan are revisited when N...more 4 3/4 stars

My Night Owl Review:

“Doubletake” by the talented Rob Thurman is another of her thrilling dark paranormal tales of those fascinating brothers, Niko and Cal Leandros. The surprises continue to unfold as Cal continues to deal with the repercussions of his sacrifice of even more of his humanity (“Brothers Before Souls”) and the handicap of only being able to Gate twice without a refractory period to recover without risking death. The repudiated ties to the Vayash clan are revisited when Niko’s despised father re-enters his life, coincidentally at the same time as a metal monstrosity that is a killing machine. With the author’s typical flair, the action is nonstop, ranging from a Puck reunion (to choose who is tasked with breeding more Pucks) that Robin hires the brothers to work at as well as a visit to the insane god Haphaestus and an encounter with the boggles in Central Park. Adding to the chaos that surrounds the brothers, a being named Grimm is determined to use Cal in even more tortuous auphe manipulations, with or without his cooperation. The brothers continue to unite against their enemies, aided by the only people they trust, Robin Goodfellow and Promise (Niko’s vampire lover) but their enemies seem to be stacking the odds against them and Cal may be forced into a decision that Niko will never recover from.

Amazingly, Ms Thurman continues to create even more stirring tales of the uncannily talented duo even as she provides glimpses of the life that has honed them into the well-tempered and close-knit pair that they are. Everyone has family issues but these two find a way to take their problems to an even higher level than the expected tension between strangers who are genetically but not emotionally related. Niko’s continued expectations for Cal’s upright and moral behavior is more than balanced by Cal’s unswerving loyalty to his older brother as one tries to keep the monsters at bay while the other fights to keep his inner monster under control. The depth of love displayed by these two warriors who couch their affection in insults and physical sacrifices continue to demonstrate the allure of this fantastic series which is filled with fantastical creatures and thrilling fight scenes combined with an imaginative storyline. Another wonderful addition to an intriguing series.(less)

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Mar 11, 2012 Douglas Meeks rated it 4 of 5 stars

I finally finished Doubletake: A Cal Leandros Novel (Cal and Niko) and while it was good, it seems that it also is another in a string of books over the last year that are setting up the next book. There were 2 main plots in this book (3 if you count the constant introspection) and they solved 1 of them, made some progress on the "who/what am I' theme and a big one they pushed into a future book. This kinda has the feel of a buildup to a finale possibly and it may be time, the series is great bu...more

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Apr 07, 2013 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars

It's been awhile since I read one of the Cal Leandros books -- in fact, I realized halfway through that I'd accidentally skipped over the one previous to this, something I'll have to remedy soon -- and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy this series. Now, it does have its faults, as many other people have pointed out on this site. The plot threads--the Panic, Janus, Grimm--were a little too disparate (or seemed so for most of the book) for a single novel. I could see what Thurman was doing thematical...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Beth Cato rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, cal-leandros, urban

I hate to say it, but I think I'm getting burned out on this series. The writing is still good and the pace is fast (well, an odd flashback near the end briefly brought things to a screeching halt), but I find that it feels like the same thing repeated too many times, i.e. the Auphe are dead, the Auphe aren't dead, etc. The element that had me really excited about this book--the Puck reunion--ended up being a minor incident right at the beginning, and then Robin Goodfellow didn't have a huge rol...more

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Apr 04, 2012 Serene rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: bromance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 14, 2012 Caroline rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: caroline-s-collection

The characters are still their wonderful, badass, naughty selves.

We got our funny Goodfellow scenes.

We got our good brotherly moments between Niko and Cal.

We learned new stuff about all three.

But I can't help feeling like Thurman is running out of material/story, and should finish the series with the next book. I would like it if Book 8 is the last book. I've loved the Cal Leandros Novels, but I'd rather they end before they start to fizzle. A good storyteller knows when the story is over, and...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Deb rated it 4 of 5 stars

A pretty good entry in Thurman's Leandros brothers series. The ties between the half-brothers hold firm despite Cal being half monster -- born of his gypsy mother and an ancient death-dealing creature named the Auphe. In this installment, Cal and his brother Niko face their worst nightmare -- another Auphe experiment who calls himself Grimm. They must also contend with Kalakos, the Rom father of Niko who abandoned him to life with their horrible mother and the half-Auphe baby brother he undertoo...more

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Jul 04, 2012 Joi rated it 3 of 5 stars

It was really good. You sort of get what you expect from Rob Thurman. But I felt like the dialogue both internal and external were very corny for lack of a better word. In this book Thurman is supposed to finally explain how pucks mate but I don't feel like it was really explained. It was interesting that Niko's father finally appears. But there isn't really a big reveal. I feel like there was a lot of things from the previous book that I was waiting for Thurman to resolve that were barely touch...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Vernieda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

So I definitely was right in thinking that the previous Cal Leandros book was a breather book and a decent way for new readers to slide into the series. This one kicks off a new arc. Cal's sarcastic humor is always great and I was excited to see Georgia coming back into the picture. Her leaving the books way back really bummed me out because I loved her and while her cameo was via someone else's memories, it certainly looks like she'll be back. I'm really thrilled about that because up until now...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Affably rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-books

Fucking brilliant. Cal is slipping and Caliban is coming out to play and when he does it will be so much fun. I really like Cal especially when he shows more and more of the monster inside himself and goes on a slaughtering rampage with his brother desperately trying to hold him back from the path of slaughter and inhumanity. But anyhow there are 2 new notable characters in this book starring Niko's da on a secret quest along with a secret guest from the darkest past. The "secret guest" really b...more

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Mar 23, 2012 Jaime rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, urban-fantasy

I guess after six awesome books in a series, it's not unexpected to come across one that's just not awesome. I usually devour a Cal Leandros book in a day, maybe two if I have work. This time I was able to put the book down several times over the course of a week because it lacked the energy and suspense previous books had. I agree with another reviewer that this installment felt like a bridge book.

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the book. I love how Cal has finally accepted himself and we're se...more I guess after six awesome books in a series, it's not unexpected to come across one that's just not awesome. I usually devour a Cal Leandros book in a day, maybe two if I have work. This time I was able to put the book down several times over the course of a week because it lacked the energy and suspense previous books had. I agree with another reviewer that this installment felt like a bridge book.

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the book. I love how Cal has finally accepted himself and we're seeing the results of that decision. I also enjoy seeing just how deadly and skilled he is. Before, it never quite gelled why all the supernaturals are afraid of him; sure, he killed, but no more than Niko who got a lot of glory for being such a skilled human. Plus, the revelations about Robin/pucks were welcome; it was good to see that character getting more three dimensional. And, per usual, the humor and dialog were top notch and had me laughing out loud several times. Plus, we do get a very brief mention of Trixa - perhaps a crossover might be coming? I think the issue for me was the promise of a great villain that got pushed to another book, while "the Panic" ended up being just one unconnected event in the story.

Grimm has the potential to be a fantastic Big Bag, and I can even see how such a character (like the Auphe) would need more than one book to resolve. I love Wyatt Knight's analogy of this being like Holmes and Moriarty. Only, Grimm spent most of the book running an internal monologue about how twisted he is, how much a killer, blah, blah, while being not much more than a boogeyman to Cal. I came to dread the italicized text that signaled Grimm was going to yack at me for a while. He got boring very quickly. On the other hand, all the build-up about the gathering of pucks was over in a few chapters. This left chasing/running from a giant robot as the remaining plot, and it just wasn't enough to build the book around.

Overall, I felt this was the weakest entry in the series, but still a worthwhile read. I won't be abandoning the series anytime soon, and if Grimm gets ramped up in the next book, it will be explosive. Recommended. (less)

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Feb 22, 2013 Sharon Stevenson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned

The great things about this series for me are Cal's sarcastic personality and the different supernatural world Thurman has crafted so well. I like that Niko and Cal are each other's only family and that they are close and I enjoy the interactions with Robin and Promise.

This book is largely about how close Niko and Cal are. There's a nice little story from their past in the book which Cal thinks shows how much Auphe has always been a part of him but it really just shows how much he loves and is w...more

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Feb 17, 2012 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Doubletake is the seventh Cal Leandros novel by Rob Thurman and a ROC Fantasy.

Book Blurb:

If anyone knows that having family isn’t always a good thing, it’s half-human, half-living-nightmare Cal Leandros. But for once, it’s not Cal’s relatives causing the trouble. That headache belongs to his half brother, Niko, whose ne-er-do-well father is in town. He needs a favor, and if Niko refuses, it just might doom the entire city.

Yet an even more dangerous reunion is in the works. The entire lying, stea...more

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Aug 18, 2012 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi-fantasy

I love this series and Cal. Its one series i enjoy reareading and one of the first pov books that i actualky like the barrator. Cal and his brother make the series entertaining.

The ending of this book, however, bothers me a bit. I dont like the direction the series may be headed. I don't want it to end up like another series that I liked where the main character ends up working for someone they don't like.

As for the antagonist of this book (one of them anyway ). I would have liked for him to ha...more

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Aug 21, 2012 R.A. Sears rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this book in less than two days, as per the usual with Rob's books. Cal is a sarcastic bastard, and I love him severely for that. If I could get my husband in on the idea, I'd name my future sons Caliban and Niko.

The reason I gave this one 4 stars rather than 5 is that there were parts of the narrative in this volume that seemed to drag to me, like the author was just trying to fill space. The action scenes throughout were still impeccable, the awesomely dry humor is biting and makes me...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Trang rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, bromance, urban-fantasy

It's a waste of my time and money. The first 3 books are entertaining, but the rest of the series is a drag. The narrative alternates between emo and self-deprecating internal monologues and conversations peppered with profanities. It's obvious that the author thinks her readers aren't smart or attentive enough to realize the depth of devotion and brotherly love Cal and Niko have for each other so she has to pound it in our head in every other paragraph. The writing is as subtle and elegant as a...more

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About Rob Thurman

Rob Thurman is currently writing three series for Penguin Putnam's imprint ROC FANTASY, as well as a brand-new mainstream series for Simon & Schuster's POCKET BOOKS.
Rob has also written for a Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner Anthology, WOLFSBANE AND MISTLETOE. This year, Rob contributed a post-apocalyptic, "grim" faerie tale Western to the anthology, COURTS OF THE FEY.

Rob's work is dark...more

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Quotes from Doubletake

“Home is where the heart is or where you bury the ones you want to eat later.” — 5 people liked it

“Spartacus," I called, "how's it hanging?" Probably not too well. Once you're dead, had your organs removed, and are resurrected as an undead mummified cat, your testicles probably looked like old raisins that had rolled under the couch. Raisins didn't tend to...hang.” — 1 person liked it

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Doubletake (Cal Leandros #7)

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