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 di...
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reviews
Aug 21, 2007
Kati
rated it: 
Another great installment in this series by Rob Thurman (who is actually a woman!). In this book, the characters of Niko and Cal are devoleped a bit more, though some of the other characters - like for example Georgina or Promise - stay rather two-dimensional. But I'm into these books for the relationship between the brothers and because of Robin Goodfellows, the puck, so I didn't mind much.
This book starts rather slow, but then it builds momentum and the last third of the book is a More...
This book starts rather slow, but then it builds momentum and the last third of the book is a More...
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Dec 06, 2011
Nightfall
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Having established all her characters and the basic background of her world in the first book, Thurman takes off running with this one and launches straight into the mystery/action. Our protagonist brothers have decided to open a PI agency and they're working their first case. It turns out to be more of a straightforward bash and run than a genuine mystery, but I get the sense that's the sort of story that works for this author. The tone of this book is even more grim than the last book, but sin
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May 26, 2011
Nick
rated it: 
Not bad. I enjoyed it. Some great interaction between Cal and Niko. Amusing banter.
Robin Goodfellows is a great character. One of my favorites.
There werewolves did not work for me. Didn’t like Flay, didn’t like the two-headed one (although the fight scene on the roof was tense and well done). Promise and George never really filled out completely for me.
I’m often told that Auphe are the baddest of the bad, but I don’t remember seeing anything that proved it out in t More...
Robin Goodfellows is a great character. One of my favorites.
There werewolves did not work for me. Didn’t like Flay, didn’t like the two-headed one (although the fight scene on the roof was tense and well done). Promise and George never really filled out completely for me.
I’m often told that Auphe are the baddest of the bad, but I don’t remember seeing anything that proved it out in t More...
May 02, 2011
Krystal
rated it:
Summary: After saving the world from the Auphe, Cal and his half brother Niko are building a life for themselves in New York City by running an agency tailoring to the needs of the supernatural. They take a job that should have ended quickly, but instead find themselves double-crossed. When the double-crosser abducts Cal's sugary-sweet crush, the brothers do everything in their power to get her back, including confronting old enemies, making deals with creepy gypsies, and allying themselves with
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Sep 27, 2007
Schnaucl
rated it:
I liked this book. However, I like Promise but George really doesn't do anything for me. I know she's supposed to be really wise but she comes off like a sweetness and light child which makes Cal's interest in her kind of creepy. He's immature but in an oddly more adult way.
I continue to love Niko and Goodfellow.
I'm very glad the focus is still on the relationship between Niko and Caliban. I'm not crazy about Promise or George being elevated to the same status.
I continue to love Niko and Goodfellow.
I'm very glad the focus is still on the relationship between Niko and Caliban. I'm not crazy about Promise or George being elevated to the same status.
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Aug 31, 2011
Jessica
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It took me two weeks to read this… well, to read the first half, anyway. Thanks to more inclusion of Nik, Robin and Promise in the second half, I managed to finish that part in a couple of hours. I’m not sure why it took me so long to get through the first part, but I think it may be because so much time was with emo-boy Cal alone, and he bores me to clean. (That was deliberate; I actually managed to get a fair amount of cleaning done in the past couple of weeks because I was avoiding this book.
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Sep 23, 2010
Ami
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 31, 2009
Sandi
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Well if you like modern action with a paranormal/supernatural twist, and you're tired of pretty vampires with angst then this is for you. Cal and Niko Leandros are brothers who will do anything for each other. They fight the forces of evil that lurk around us (but we don't know it) all while just tryingto lead normal lives.
What makes this series fun is the voice of Cal. He's sarcastic, snarky, angsty, confused, and well meaning. He's got a little problem, he's half-Auphe, which i More...
What makes this series fun is the voice of Cal. He's sarcastic, snarky, angsty, confused, and well meaning. He's got a little problem, he's half-Auphe, which i More...
Oct 02, 2010
Lin
rated it: 
The second Cal Leandros book and I think I love these books more than they deserve. Which is a lot
After the events of the first Cal and Niko have set up an agency with Promise, taking jobs using their unusual skill set. When a job gathering information on one of the kin (the werewolf mafia) goes wrong it turns out their employer has other objectives Cal is pushed over the edge as hostages are taken.
Cal's voice grows stronger, more assured throughout in his internalised rambling More...
After the events of the first Cal and Niko have set up an agency with Promise, taking jobs using their unusual skill set. When a job gathering information on one of the kin (the werewolf mafia) goes wrong it turns out their employer has other objectives Cal is pushed over the edge as hostages are taken.
Cal's voice grows stronger, more assured throughout in his internalised rambling More...
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Jul 18, 2011
L-D
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In the second book of this series, Cal and Nik's friend Georgina gets kidnapped and they must find and retrieve a crown as ransom. Cal is still denying his feelings for the young Georgina. While Cal is still brash, immature, and lazy - he does seem to buck up a bit and goes after his friend with determination and a bit of recklessness while his mysterious half-auphe bloodline grants him some new and interesting gifts. Supported by his ever-present brother Nik and their new friends Promise, a
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Sep 05, 2009
Tina
rated it:
Second installment of Cal and Nik Leandros' series.
After successfully negating the threat of Cal's other family (the evil, death mongering elves known as The Auphe) and killing the entity that possessed Cal in the previous book, the brothers decide to remain in NY. To their surprise, after having been on the run and having only each other for so many years, they have created bonds.
First there is Promise, the lovely vampire who has awakened romantic feelings in the normal More...
After successfully negating the threat of Cal's other family (the evil, death mongering elves known as The Auphe) and killing the entity that possessed Cal in the previous book, the brothers decide to remain in NY. To their surprise, after having been on the run and having only each other for so many years, they have created bonds.
First there is Promise, the lovely vampire who has awakened romantic feelings in the normal More...
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Sep 17, 2011
Contrarius
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Rob Thurman seems to be hitting her stride with this second installment of the Cal Leandros series. I listened to the first book of the series and then read the second one, so I'm not sure whether it's the different route of exposure or actual differences in the books that have heightened my appreciation of the series. This one seems to have more consistent pacing and a surer hand, adding to the depth of emotion that was already present in the first book.
The vibe here is decidedly " More...
The vibe here is decidedly " More...
Apr 22, 2009
Anita
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Nov 08, 2011
Hazel
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This book is the second in the Cal and Niko series. I enjoyed the first book and this second book was a pretty good read as well. I do have to say that Rob Thurman can really draw out a scene, almost painfully so. She writes in a lot of monologuing by Cal that's unnecessary during the scenes and if your not paying close attention, you can get lost in the chapter. I had to go back and re-read a few paragraphs on more then one occasion because I lost track of the conversation. Overall the story is
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Aug 07, 2011
Marcia
rated it:
I (mostly) like this series. The tone is consistently fun and snarky, and it doesn't feel like something I've read before. Since so many urban fantasy series and their protagonists blur together, that's probably worth a star in itself. I really like the supporting characters, and actually find Niko, Promise and Goodfellow to be more interesting and better-written than Cal. Now that the character is in his 20s, it's a bit harder to accept his angst-ridden teenager act. Grow up, dude.
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Dec 14, 2008
Andreea
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Once again, Rob Thurman blew me away. She's totally original and her sense of humor had me afraid to eat and read at the same time. This is the type of suspenseful book that you don't want to put down until you finish it. Imagine how depressed I was when I had to pause in between chapters to go to school... In this book, Cal and Niko have finally stopped running from the Auphe since they were defeated in the first book. Now they've opened up a detective agency which, of course, isn't going well.
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Nov 27, 2008
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 st More...
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 st More...
Jun 11, 2011
Kara-karina
rated it:
Rob Thurman is a very good example of urban fantasy. Her writing is crisp, sharp and sarcastic, full of banter and good old boy humour that will keep you snickering.
Cal and Niko very much remind me of two brothers from Supernatural. So if you like this show you will most certainly love the books.
The brothers are tight, and it's quite touching to see how they can not imagine life without each other and will do anything in their power to save one another.
I also love More...
Cal and Niko very much remind me of two brothers from Supernatural. So if you like this show you will most certainly love the books.
The brothers are tight, and it's quite touching to see how they can not imagine life without each other and will do anything in their power to save one another.
I also love More...
Jan 12, 2010
Ramie
rated it:
In book 2 of the Cal Leandros series we find Cal, Niko, and Promise settling into a fairly comfortable life. They've started a new business. The Auphe are all but gone. Niko and Promise are discovering one another. Life seems good. And then George goes missing, apparently taken by one of their own clients. They'll have to find a crown that he wants or lose George for good. Oh and maybe the Auphe aren't as gone as they thought.
It's a well written series, one which I'll continue More...
It's a well written series, one which I'll continue More...
Aug 06, 2009
Anne
rated it:
3.5, almost 4 stars
Imagine being half human and half monster. Well, that's Cal. He is half Auphe, an old and evil demon type presence. He and his older brother (who is wholly human) are starting their own business and get hired to do business with werewolves, but it is much deeper than they could ever have imagined when they first signed on for the job.
Love Cal's snarkiness although I think he wallows in his own misery a little bit too much at times. This was the second in the se More...
Imagine being half human and half monster. Well, that's Cal. He is half Auphe, an old and evil demon type presence. He and his older brother (who is wholly human) are starting their own business and get hired to do business with werewolves, but it is much deeper than they could ever have imagined when they first signed on for the job.
Love Cal's snarkiness although I think he wallows in his own misery a little bit too much at times. This was the second in the se More...
Jul 05, 2011
Kris
rated it:
I am getting ridiculously addicted to these books. At first I was a bit hesitant to pick them up as they fair screamed 'manly-action-mean-fantasy-type story' but on a whim I grabbed the first book anyway and was absolutely sucked into this world. While this series seems like masculine action fantasy serious it is not off-putting for the female audience which is fantastic. You know some books tend to fall in the 'guy only' category but luckily this isn't one of them. Great action, hilarious sarca
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Aug 24, 2011
Joey
rated it:
Elves are demonic predators, Vampires have been off blood for years, and a Werewolf mafia rules the ACTUAL underworld. Welcome to the Cal Leandros series.
With this second book, the series cements itself as the supernatural equivalent of a private eye novel. Cal is still the narrator and we get to learn more about his world and the characters and creatures that inhabit it. Though it lacks the mid-story twist the first novel had, the twists and turns of the plot more than make up for it. More...
With this second book, the series cements itself as the supernatural equivalent of a private eye novel. Cal is still the narrator and we get to learn more about his world and the characters and creatures that inhabit it. Though it lacks the mid-story twist the first novel had, the twists and turns of the plot more than make up for it. More...
Jul 12, 2010
John
rated it:
Let me just say the book is very well written and the dialog and characterization is extremely good. However, as a whole I have a hard time becoming engaged with Cal, the main character, or really feeling drawn along by the plot.
Interesting characters and dialog is important but for me, the book felt like that was all there was. To be honest, Cal continues to be, as he was in the first book, the weakest link within the group and yet is often portrayed as being powerful and dangerou More...
Interesting characters and dialog is important but for me, the book felt like that was all there was. To be honest, Cal continues to be, as he was in the first book, the weakest link within the group and yet is often portrayed as being powerful and dangerou More...
Mar 06, 2010
Bry
rated it:
This book is just as fun, if not more fun that the first book in the series. Scratch that, its way better than the first. Although my same complaint from that 1st novel to this one is the length of the chapters. The can be anywhere from a 1/3 to 1/2 a page long, and in a mass market paperback that means the print is small and it feels as if it just goes on and on. Thankfully though the amazing plot and outstanding characters far outshine this one issue.
Bottom line, this book is More...
Bottom line, this book is More...
Apr 01, 2011
Kelly
rated it:
In Moonshine, Cal delves deeper into the unchartered realm of his romantic feelings for seer Georgia. She has his heart. So it is gut-wrenching for Cal when she is kidnapped and he - along with his team of Nik, Promise, and Robin - must rescue her. This is a driving force, fueling him to come to terms with his emotions, not wanting to hold back, to finally, finally express his love for her. Does that happen? You’ll just have to read for yourself.
Moonshine is swimming with werewolves More...
Moonshine is swimming with werewolves More...
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Jan 14, 2011
Amy
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I guess I see these books differently now since I know Rob Thurman is a woman.
I read the first Cal novel and I did have a hard time getting through the beginning of that one too. The plot was really creative and I loved the the first person narrative especially when Cal becomes evil for a while.
I struggled through this book. The writer cannot go through one sentence of dialog without giving a description of how and what Cal is thinking of either the situation or the people he is talk More...
I read the first Cal novel and I did have a hard time getting through the beginning of that one too. The plot was really creative and I loved the the first person narrative especially when Cal becomes evil for a while.
I struggled through this book. The writer cannot go through one sentence of dialog without giving a description of how and what Cal is thinking of either the situation or the people he is talk More...
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Apr 26, 2011
Spuddie
rated it:
#2 in the Cal and Niko Leandros paranormal mystery series. Having defeated the big bad Auphe in the last book, Cal and Niko are now somewhat settled in New York, doing investigative and security work for hire with Niko's girlfriend, the vampire named Promise as business partner. They're asked to investigate a lower-level member of The Kin, a werewolf mafia gang, by a fellow member who thinks he's going to be taken down as part of his co-gang member's aspirations to rise to the top.
N More...
N More...
Mar 28, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
4.5/5 stars. I liked this book a good bit better than Nightlife. Now that the world building and character backgrounds have been established, Rob Thurman gets down to the business of action/suspense in this book.
My affection for Cal is growing exponentially as the series continues. Some may find all his snarking off-putting, but I find it to be a pretty authentic attitude coming from a man/boy who's at constant struggle with the monster he believes himself to be. It's simply a defen More...
My affection for Cal is growing exponentially as the series continues. Some may find all his snarking off-putting, but I find it to be a pretty authentic attitude coming from a man/boy who's at constant struggle with the monster he believes himself to be. It's simply a defen More...
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Sep 10, 2009
Abby
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Rob Thurman writes good books that stay with you - and you're more than happy to let them. For example, I'm in the middle of another book, completely non-paranormal, and one line from this book has me remembering a scene from Moonshine. I love that. I love a story, a character voice, that reverberates through my existence.
This is Thurman's second book in the Cal Leandros series, the first one being "Nightlife" which I was lucky enough to stumble across at a used book store. Needl More...
This is Thurman's second book in the Cal Leandros series, the first one being "Nightlife" which I was lucky enough to stumble across at a used book store. Needl More...
Jan 02, 2010
Ashley
rated it:
Moonshine is the second installment in the Cal Leandros series, and I liked it a lot better than the first, mainly on account of the fact that I've now warmed to Cal as a narrator and am quite charmed by him. (Like you're charmed with something that's quite cute until you hug it, and it turns around and bites you--charmed with a healthy appreciation for any potential danger.) The overabundance of bitterness and snark that put me off from him at the beginning of the first novel has settled comfor
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