Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Nightlife (Cal Leandros #1)

by Rob Thurman (Goodreads Author)

3.69 of 5 stars 3.69 · rating details · 6,032 ratings · 528 reviews

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 manage

...more

Audio, 0 pages

Published March 7th 2006 by Penguin Group USA, Inc

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

May 01, 2013 Amanda rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: meh

I have come to the conclusion that I should not buy urban fantasy books that were first published as mass market paperbacks. I can only assume it's the publishing world's version of "straight to DVD" or a SyFy original movie.

Nightlife isn't terrible, but it isn't great. It's been-there-done-that territory for me and just wasn't worth my time. The plot is somewhat original: The Auphe (apparently another name for elves) need a human/Auphe child to help them open a gate to the past. The problem? A...more I have come to the conclusion that I should not buy urban fantasy books that were first published as mass market paperbacks. I can only assume it's the publishing world's version of "straight to DVD" or a SyFy original movie.

Nightlife isn't terrible, but it isn't great. It's been-there-done-that territory for me and just wasn't worth my time. The plot is somewhat original: The Auphe (apparently another name for elves) need a human/Auphe child to help them open a gate to the past. The problem? Auphe aren't the Keebler elves: they're hideous, monstrous creatures who only live for violence and destruction. Not exactly what a woman wants to cozy up to for a night of passion. So the Auphe find a drunken gypsy whore who will do anything for money. Apparently they had to wait centuries for a woman depraved enough to sleep with anything that could provide adequate coin as payment for the experience; on which I call "bullshit" as this is the stuff of pure fiction. Hugh Hefner manages to find such a woman every fifteen minutes. Anyway, 9 months after this crime against nature occurs, little Caliban, named for the offspring of witch and demon in Shakespeare's The Tempest, is born. Cal and his half-brother, Niko, escape their terrible childhood together and spend the rest of their lives on the run from the Auphe.

What's not particularly original about the novel is the execution. The characters are stereotypes to the urban fantasy genre. Niko is some sort of concrete jungle ninja; he walks around packing enough steel that he's at serious risk of shish kebabbing himself every time he sits down. He must also be as stealthy as a drawer full of silverware. Despite being so deadly, he's gorgeous and has blonde tresses that would be the envy of Lady Lovely Locks and the Pixietails (how's that for an obscure 1980's toy reference?) Cal, the supernatural part of the duo, is like Harry Dresden's younger brother. He's snarky and sarcastic in a not particularly clever manner. And this is problematic for me because I'm sick of this ultra-hip, pop-culture spouting, always quick with a quip in the heat of battle, "I'm such a smart ass, but I just can't help it" persona of the protagonists in these types of novels. It gets grating after a while, which is why I finally gave up on the Dresden Files and it's a big part of the reason as to why I'll be giving up on the Cal Leandros series. This smug glibness seems to be a literary sleight-of-hand for distracting the reader from a lack of character development, which is fun at first but gets tiresome after the second or third novel of this type.

Another reason Nightlife didn't particularly hold my attention is because it begins with the resolution for what should be the novel's climax and, sure, the opening certainly gets your attention, but by the time you make it to what should be the most suspense filled part of the novel you realize, "Oh, hey, this has looped back around to the beginning. Damn! I already know what's going to happen." It's as anticlimactic as the Anthony Weiner scandal (c'mon, we all knew that was his junk). This foreknowledge certainly makes the last 1/4 of the novel tiresome.

Again, I can't say the novel isn't worth reading; in fact, it might be okay for those new to the genre. I've read so much of this stuff that I know I've become jaded and from now on, if it wasn't first issued in hardback, I'm going to take a pass on this genre.

Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder (less)

like 17 likes · see review

Mar 20, 2012 Carol rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Leandros fans, urban fantasy fans

Shelves: my-library, urban-fantasy, male-lead

Thurman's Leandros series tends to be very dark, both in world view and in the voice of the sardonic, damaged narrator, Cal. It's one way the book distinguishes itself from it's UF brethren, but also inhibits me from issuing a ringing endorsement. I can only take so much of the sarcastic, callous, lazy narrator before my inner drill sergeant is tempted to provide a swift kick in the narrative.

One of the most interesting things about the series is that the relationship between the brothers is a...more Thurman's Leandros series tends to be very dark, both in world view and in the voice of the sardonic, damaged narrator, Cal. It's one way the book distinguishes itself from it's UF brethren, but also inhibits me from issuing a ringing endorsement. I can only take so much of the sarcastic, callous, lazy narrator before my inner drill sergeant is tempted to provide a swift kick in the narrative.

One of the most interesting things about the series is that the relationship between the brothers is a focal point for their characters and for plot development, and that seems a little more unique in a genre known for independent and wise-cracking detectives. Nightlife introduces us to Cal and Niko's attempts to avoid a particular group of monsters, the Auphe, as they take refuge among the human herd in New York City. New York, of course, is full of monsters, termed 'Grendels' by the brothers, providing numerous sources of information and conflict.

Thurman's writing is a good example of the better urban fantasy novel. World-building is well done. She frequently weaves in major literary references, particularly Shakespeare, but is usually kind enough to reference it for the education-impaired reader. Character development seems strong, and it's an interesting choice to have the caustic Cal be the narrative voice instead of his more educated and thoughtful ninja-brother. They have a seriously co-dependent relationship. I enjoyed the introduction of Robin, who provided touches of lecherous humor, but also a streak of believable lonliness. The monsters were multi-dimensional as well. The bridge troll was particularly horrifying, but save some horror for the fiendish Auphe. (view spoiler) it wasn't a character I enjoyed reading. The first time through, I tended to skim it just to get the major plot points. During the second, I focused more on the quality of the writing, and I have to say it was very impressive, but just not to my taste. The resolution was believable, if somewhat predictable, and introduced two characters that will continue to appear in later books. I enjoyed the NYC setting which is decently realized but doesn't overtake the story.

A three and a half star ride.(less)

like 11 likes · see review

Mar 14, 2009 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of male-lead urban fantasy novels

Shelves: antihero, favorite-or-autobuy-author, awkward-misfit, coming-of-age, dark-fantasy, fantasy, family, flawed-hero, hero-to-die-for, interracial-romance, part-of-a-series, owned-copy, reluctant-or-unlikely-hero, urban-fantasy, warrior, favorites, faerie, mythical-beasties, bromance, male-pov

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 between Sam and Dean on Supernatural, you'd probably like this book for that reason. Some of the elements of their relationship bring to mind the Winchester brothers. Niko is a man that I could marry. His...more 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 between Sam and Dean on Supernatural, you'd probably like this book for that reason. Some of the elements of their relationship bring to mind the Winchester brothers. Niko is a man that I could marry. His love for his brother was so intense and so all-consuming the way a sibling should love. I love his dedication to being the best warrior that he can so that he can protect Cal when his "other relatives" try to take him back. When he cut his hair off in grief, I just about lost it.

I enjoyed the new twist on elves, and I found the action sequences so vivid they jumped off the page at me. There were some genuinely scary moments that sent a chill down my spine (I love a good scare). I liked the noir-esque narrative, peppered with wry humor and in a voice that really sounded like a young man (I was surprised the author is a woman) who has seen more bad than good in the world. In fact, I think Cal is a great character and a real trooper considering what he has gone through and the heritage he has to face.

I love that Cal's sweet on a young woman who is biracial and can see the future (you know me and my love for interracial romance). Fans of shows like Buffy and Angel would like this book because it has the feel of these shows, but delves deeper than an hour long show can. I liked the very interesting secondary cast of characters and beasties (as a lifelong fan of folklore, I am always happy to see some of the beasties in fiction books). I loved that I actually had to look up a few like the boggle who lived in the pond in Central Park. Fans of Harry Dresden from the Jim Butcher novels and John Taylor from Simon R. Green's Nightside novels will probably like this book and consider it a book that might show what Harry and John might have been like as a young man. In the end, I just can't say enough good things about this book. I will buy every book Rob Thurman writes and particularly the Cal Leandros series. If you are an old fan of urban fantasy, a new fan, or wanting to branch out to this wonderful genre, please read this book.(less)

like 34 likes · see review

Dec 22, 2007 Elaine rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, fantasy, paranormal

It's an interesting world, with lots of possibilities, but I definitely got a 'first novel' vibe. A bit clunky in places (esp. in the middle, when there's a kind of POV shift of sorts), and the narrator was ~~annoying~~ an asshole at times (though he is 19, so that could be on purpose). The brotherly interaction has a touch of Sam n' Dean, so SPN fans might dig it.

There was just a little too much, if you know what I mean. Does the older brother have to have long luxurious locks AND be awesome with s...more

like 16 likes · see review

Mar 06, 2012 Mike (the Paladin) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, fantasy

These are pretty good. A cut above some of the Urban fantasy out there. It does have one of my pet peeves however...a vampire romantic interest, ugh. I'm so sick of "friendly", "tragic", "misunderstood", and "romantic" vampires. As I've observed elsewhere...what if after you've fallen asleep from a wonderful and long session of lovemaking, she feels like she needs a snack?

Think about it.

The story here while not completely original (I mean what story is?) this is a pretty original take on it. Ca...more

like 8 likes · see review

Apr 09, 2009 Anita rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Dresden Files fans

Shelves: urban-fantasy, laugh-out-loud-funny, five-star-favorites

I think I've found my next favorite series. I LOVED the sarcastic humor, the well-imagined fantasy creatures, the relationships among characters, and the plot. (I didn't see the plot twists coming.) If you're a fan of Harry Dresden, you might like this series - it satisfied the same literary craving as the Dresden files from my perspective.

Basic storyline: Cal is half demon/Auphe/Grendel - whatever you want to call it. His mom got paid to give birth to him. (His mom was a drunk and a whore.) Cal...more

like 8 likes · see review

May 13, 2010 Mel rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Mel by: Tara

A good start to a new UF series. This one is about two brothers, Cal and Niko, who have lived a life on the run, trying to escape the ghost… or better: monsters from their past. But the monsters have caught up with them.

My biggest problem was that I didn’t understand why the Big Bad was/were so bad. We were told the Grendels were horrible but we hardly witnessed, why.
The Grendels and Darkling felt a little cardboard. Or like a James Bond antogonist who is bad, but you don't really know why. Bec...more

like 5 likes · see review

May 29, 2008 Paxnirvana rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I got half way through this, kept putting it down and picking it back up again. But I was forcing myself to read it. So I finally just stopped.

Why? Too much snark. Niko is too perfect, which is a liveable flaw, but damn it, Cal will just NOT SHUT UP with the snarky inner commentary. Some is apparently required in the Urban Fantasy genre, but constant? Really, move on with the story and quit with the quips for a minute, will you?

It annoys me more because what Mr. Thurman has started here is a pr...more

like 17 likes · see review

Oct 14, 2007 Kati rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2007, in-english, het, gay, urban-fantasy, look-for-more

This book feels like the TV show "Supernatural" in a paper format. And because I love that TV show, I also love this book. Two brothers running away from evil creatures, fighting, protecting each other, having no one to turn to for help. Until they meet a certain puck, a vampire girl and a psychic.

The book does have many cultural references that are rather hard to understand for someone who lives on a different continent though. It's not names and places but phrases that pop up in famous TV sho...more

like 4 likes · see review

Mar 21, 2011 Marcia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Three and a half stars. I liked this one, a lot more than I thought I would. I mean, it's UF, but featuring boy protagonists. It's like some crazy upside down world. Really, it was a nice change from the typical leather-clad heroine and her many supernatural suitors, and I'm glad to have found it. The book is well paced, and I generally enjoyed the tone -- lots of quality snark, and Thurman definitely has a gift for a glib simile.

I didn't feel like the separate narrative voices were distinct en...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jenn I do really like this series. I like Cal's snarkiness. But this is also the series that got me really into the UF genre. The third in the series, 'Mad...more
Mar 21, 2011 10:01am

Marcia Thanks for the heads up re: reading them too close together. Usually, the only series I get compulsive about reading are those with cliffhangers, or a...more
Mar 21, 2011 01:16pm

Jenn I'm back and forth between the Library and the Kindle. I look to see if I can reserve it at the library first, if not it gets purchased. Problem with...more
Mar 21, 2011 03:53pm

Dec 07, 2009 Lady Valee rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Well...this book was different. I'm giving 3 stars to this one, I would give 3 1/2 if I could. I'm giving 3 because eventhough sometimes I felt bored, while I wasn't reading the book I was thinking that I needed to read it to know what would happen, LOL. So I guess I got hooked without even noticing it.

I must say that this book surprised me. I thought it wouldn't be a good book because of the slow beginning, but the ending was amazing.
I love to read first person books, so that was something I re...more

like 4 likes · see review

Jan 17, 2009 CD rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: no one

It started out ok. Thurman has an interesting take on the Dark Elves and his world of trolls and boggles and a Puck is quite inventive. I was even ready to chomp into the relationship between the brothers Cal and Niko as that seemed so different than the other urban fantasy books I have read. However, the book is disappointing and I ended up skimming through to the end. There is a try for humor that falls flat. The characters are never really fleshed out and their relationship to each other seem...more

like 4 likes · see review

May 01, 2013 Katyana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, fantasy, dark, uf

This is a really interesting, really ambitious book. I enjoyed it, even as I spent a lot of time analyzing it on a meta level, because some of the choices really surprised me, and I just couldn't decide whether they helped or hurt the book.

Specifically, what I'm calling interesting and ambitious is (view spoiler)...more This is a really interesting, really ambitious book. I enjoyed it, even as I spent a lot of time analyzing it on a meta level, because some of the choices really surprised me, and I just couldn't decide whether they helped or hurt the book.

Specifically, what I'm calling interesting and ambitious is (view spoiler)

Another thing that was a little bit off to me was that I like Niko better as a main character than I like Cal, so (view spoiler) He's an amazing character, with a lot more emotion under the surface... I would have loved to get into his head.

But there were lots of things I did like. The relationship between the brothers was arguably one of the best such relationships that I've ever read. I liked that there was no bullshit, no misunderstandings, no hurt feelings, no recriminations between them. They were solid, unwavering, and absolutely had each other's back. And don't get me wrong, I did like Cal. I just found Niko to be particularly fascinating.

I'll definitely read on in the series.(less)

like 2 likes · see review

Apr 14, 2012 Hunter rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Check out my blog: http://bookcrookconfessions.wordpress...

Good Premise, I was impressed with the idea of the book and its potential and who doesnt love a good ass kicking antihero on the run right? Wrong. The potential of this book falls flat right as you finish the pro and never redeems itself. The writing from a male perspecive is wonderful and refreshing in a world were most fantasy books follow a heroine but the dialouge seems to constantly beat you over the head with the fact its written b...more Check out my blog: http://bookcrookconfessions.wordpress...

Good Premise, I was impressed with the idea of the book and its potential and who doesnt love a good ass kicking antihero on the run right? Wrong. The potential of this book falls flat right as you finish the pro and never redeems itself. The writing from a male perspecive is wonderful and refreshing in a world were most fantasy books follow a heroine but the dialouge seems to constantly beat you over the head with the fact its written by a male. You cant go more than a few lines without them cursing or making an innuendo of some kind of commenting on a dick. We get it, the narrator is a guy. My next complaint it the relationship between the two brothers, on one hand you have self loathing main character Cal. Hes a monster and he has a tough life, poor him, but he doesnt stop complaining about how sad and unnormal and monstorous he is until the last sentance of the novel. Its great that he has difficulty comming to terms with who he is but no one enjoys a novel long pity party. You then have all around perfect brother Niko who falls just as short in the characterization dipartment as his Cal. Niko is perfect in every way, he is kind and unconditionally loves his brother, is there for him, gets all the ladies and even some men, is a human but has almost supernatural skills with weapons,hes amazingly attractive, is smart and witty and all around perfect. If you thought that was a bit overzealous on the praise then read the book and youll find thats what comes out of Cals mouth everytime he mentions Niko. He is overly irritatingly perfect and we are reminded of it constantly but thats as in depth as his character goes. Finally the writing itself is clunky and awkward from the point that conflict is introduced until the end. Its as though the author got midway through and had 3 ideas of how to proceed so instead of picking one decided to go for all 3 antagonist and just to write all three then shove them together into one big jumbled barely coherent plotline that leaves you unsatisfied with the quick resoultion of all antagonist in a rather steriotypical fashion. All in all I give it a two if not but that fact it is barable enough you could suffer through it in hopes that the great potential will be fleshed out in later novels with better dialouge, characterization, and a centralized plot for the serise to come. If your not in the mood to struggle through to find the dimond a few novels in though I would leave this book be and find another of the many excellent serise out there.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Oct 19, 2011 Kana rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, audiobook, vampires, oh-my-god-that-was-actually-painful

In a nutshell, I would say this book is not worth reading....or any of the authors work.

Issues:
The author used more metaphors than clear sentences, making the scenes extremely difficult to follow. Which lead to a general lack of interest, and I found my mind wandering, even in the most intense scenes. I didn't even realize I wasn't processing all of it. I had an overall sense of boredom.
There was a redundancy throughout the book that got on my nerves. 'Yes, he's the spawn of a monster, I get i...more

like 4 likes · see review

Dec 25, 2012 Book Chick City rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Reviewed by Rebecca for www.BookChickCity.com - 2.5 Star on the blog.

NIGHTLIFE by Rob Thurman is as much a tale of family values as of demons and darkness, with the brotherly bond between the protagonists forming a basis for the plot. The novel contains a multitude of supernatural elements, from conventional vampires and werewolves to new creations of the boggle and Auphe. Fight scenes are scattered throughout the text, displaying a mastery of various weaponry.

The protagonist, Caliban Leandros,...more Reviewed by Rebecca for www.BookChickCity.com - 2.5 Star on the blog.

NIGHTLIFE by Rob Thurman is as much a tale of family values as of demons and darkness, with the brotherly bond between the protagonists forming a basis for the plot. The novel contains a multitude of supernatural elements, from conventional vampires and werewolves to new creations of the boggle and Auphe. Fight scenes are scattered throughout the text, displaying a mastery of various weaponry.

The protagonist, Caliban Leandros, is the first of his kind, half-Auphe, half-human, and born to a mother who has no love for him. His very name of ‘Caliban’ demonstrates her dislike of him (named after the human-beast creature in Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’), hence the shortening to ‘Cal’, with the ‘Auphe’ being a demonic elf-like creature, incapable of love. The Auphe are after Cal, having watched over him for years, finally taking him at the age of 14. They pulled him through a gate, only for him to emerge again two years older than when he left. Cal fought his way back to the human world, to his older brother Niko, for them both to go on the run in a bid to escape recapture.

This novel takes place after four years on the run, with the brothers trying to keep a low profile, obsessed with security, and keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity. The Auphe threat is difficult to describe, with the brothers referring to them as Grendels for the better part of the novel. Thurman describes them as having, ‘pale skin and paler hair a luminescent smear in the gloom. Every eye was fixed on me with a maniacal and almost coveting glee.’ They covet power, and apparently need Cal in order to get it, with their true aims being revealed at the end of the novel.

NIGHTLIFE is told from the first person perspective of Cal, who seemingly has a very sarcastic outlook on life, critiquing every event that occurs. These sarky comments are amusing at times and aggravating at others, I found myself wanting him to be more grown up and serious, wishing the novel was narrated by his brother Niko instead. However, the author does capture Cal’s inner turmoil of whether or not he is a monster, causing the reader to sympathise with him.

On the other hand, Cal’s brother Niko is completely different, a highly focused and intelligent individual with superb fighting skills. He is devoted to his younger brother, his main goal to keep Cal alive. However, there is seemingly nothing wrong with Niko, he is too perfect, his attractiveness gaining him female attention to top off his perfect combat skills and intellect.

However, as much as I liked the two main characters and the brotherly banter that passes between them, I felt that the plot lacked substance. For the first half of the novel I wasn’t sure if the plot was actually building up to anything significant, the author not giving away enough clues to keep me interested in the storyline. The characters were the only elements that kept me interested in reading on, with the car salesman, Robin, providing some brilliant comic moments with the brothers, boasting of his exploits with women (and men).

Overall, I found the book to be pretty average, and as a first book in a series I’m not sure if I want to read on. There were a few underdeveloped characters that are clearly going to be developed in later novels, but aside from those there is little indication of any continuing plot points. I wasn’t a fan of Thurman’s writing style, particularly with the narrative shift in the middle of the novel, as I didn’t enjoy the perspective change. As a debut novel this wasn’t a disaster, and I may think about giving the next book in the series a chance to see how her writing style develops.

VERDICT:

I found this book to be very average, perhaps a reflection of being the author’s debut novel. Despite liking the relationship between the brothers, it felt like there was a lack of plot throughout the first half of the novel, with the novel taking a long time to progress.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Oct 17, 2009 Summer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, fairies, paranormal, need-to-buy, favorites

In 'Nightlife' the main character is Caliban (Cal) Leandros and his half brother Niko. They share the same human mother, however Caliban has a Grendel for a father. Grendel is what the brothers call the monsters. And Caliban's father's specific breed of monster is elf. These elves are not pretty and serene in the Lord of the Rings kind of way. They're scary, violent, and have been watching Cal all his life. Several years ago the Grendels finally made a move and kidnapped Caliban and killed their...more

like 6 likes · see review

Jan 15, 2010 Dorri rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: horror-spooks, urban-fantasy

I picked up this series of books, mainly because I loved the cover artist. I'd loved Chris McGrath's cover art on the Dresden comics, so when I saw he had done a series of covers for this author, Rob Thurman, I figured I'd search out the books to see if they might be something I'd be interested in. Found the first one at B&N, read the back, sounded good so I picked it up. Read the first two in a couple of days (work interrupted me) and I'm currently working on the third. I love the snarkines...more

like 3 likes · see review

Aug 08, 2011 Kindle-aholic rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: uf

Just under 4 stars so rounding up.

Yep - I'm late to the party with this one, but that just means I don't have a long wait between books. If you like UF but haven't tried this one yet, I recommend it.

I liked the brother dynamic, Niko and Cal make for an entertaining read. The brotherly dynamic was believable and is probably my favorite part of the book. Robin Goodfellow - GREAT.

Sure, Cal is really cocky, but he's also freaked out of his gourd and his body is 2 years older than his brain, so I can...more

like 2 likes · see review

Apr 10, 2012 Beth Cato rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: in, 2010, urban, fantasy, cal-leandros, leandros, series

Cal is a monster. Well, half-monster. His father is a nasty creature called an Auphe--the basis for elf mythology, but the only accurate thing is the pointed ears. And for some reason, the Auphe have been seeking Cal for years. It's only because of the grim devotion of older half-brother Niko that Cal has stayed alive through their years on the run. That's about to change. The Auphe want Cal. Badly.[return][return]Rob Thurman has created a unique urban fantasy series following the first-person v...more

like · see review

Mar 04, 2013 Michelle A rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I absolutely loved this book. Granted I read it when I was in my transition from child to teenager, and the emotional depth of this novel, my first serious one, actually helped form the person I am today.
Any way, Cal Leandros, half monster, half human, and his fully human brother, Niko. The story is filled with witty humor, a twist on well known monsters and beings, and most of all, the depth of human relationships. Not only are we immersed in a fantasy world that challenges the truth of our own...more I absolutely loved this book. Granted I read it when I was in my transition from child to teenager, and the emotional depth of this novel, my first serious one, actually helped form the person I am today.
Any way, Cal Leandros, half monster, half human, and his fully human brother, Niko. The story is filled with witty humor, a twist on well known monsters and beings, and most of all, the depth of human relationships. Not only are we immersed in a fantasy world that challenges the truth of our own, but we actually experience a well thought evolution of most of the characters, pleasantly ending without the need of a second book (though the following ones are just as good).
The structure of the novel is brilliant; each chapter has it's own theme to it without breaking the pace of the story, and gently we dive into Cal's musings, sometimes taking a break from the main storyline and diving into the memories, dreams and thoughts of our protagonist who, in a sassy and simple language, creates for the reader the entirety of his ideology.
What touched me most about this novel was the main theme of brotherhood. Niko and Cal are technically half-brothers, fighting against the world and their own mother for Cal's sake, something he's always resented but that Niko does for him out of love. I think I've yet to come across a novel that touches the topic of brotherhood as deeply as this one did. It carries along a message about family, something my mother never failed to tell me or my sister when we were children: your sibling is your best friend. I think she meant this mainly because we choose our friends and not our family so we might as well learn to get along well, but because we were closer to each other than to our own parents, and at the end of the day that's what we'll have left. Being so close to my own sister helped me identify even closer with Cal's story, even more so his point of view (I'm the youngest one).
Niko's anguish when Cal is taken by Darkling, along with Cal's despair and guilt upon attacking his own brother under the influence of said Darkling, heightens the message of the book, and helps it transcend into a different level of literature. It's in these moments where their relationship is tested, and where all the love in the world is held between two brothers who've never had anyone but each other.
As for the secondary characters (mainly Robin, George and Promise), their roles drive the story forward, yet we also meet them up and close in moments that make us care for them as well, and all these lives interconnected create a touching experience for the reader, for Thurman manages to develop palpable characters that slowly enter our lives.
I know this book like the back of my hand, yet every reading discovers something new, and this will be the novel I will carry for the rest of my life.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Feb 26, 2013 A.J. Church rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love all of Rob's books, and this one started the love affair. I picked it up on a lark one day when browsing through the local Waldenbooks looking for something new to read. I'd never heard of Rob Thurman before, but she had me with the first line of the book, "People, they do the craziest sh*t.".

Cal Leandros is my kind of hero: volatile, snarky, irreverent, scathingly sarcastic, with a closet full of baggage that would drive the sanest person batcrap crazy and a morality that sees the world...more

like · see review

Feb 18, 2013 Sherri S rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm torn on this one. I like the whole new twist to the urban fantasy and fairytale myths intertwined in our every day modern life. And I like the way the creatures are so real they seem to come at you from your own personal nightmares. The main problem I have is the main character Cal. His constant harping and making off-handed remarks gets old so fast. It's like the annoying boy in class you just can't shut up but thinks he's so funny and entertaining. I like a good rib and I like to make joke...more

like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 Meg rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nightlife
OR
I Was A Teenage Half Demon

A great plot driven urban fantasy with a male protaganist. Romance is not even remotely a plot point, most of the character interaction is driven by the relationship of two brothers. Plot is primary and we get an interesting perspective as our first person narrator for much of the book.

The writing is a little thick and more than anything else, I wish more paragraphs were broken up. I had trouble getting into it because I look for dialogue to break up scenes...more

like 1 like · see review

May 19, 2012 Cornerofmadness rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is the first in what appears to be a popular series judging by the shelf in Barnes & Nobles. It’s first person point of view (since that matters to some people for some reason I don’t understand). The first chapter is a little rough, a bit too much information dump, not enough action. Once it gets rolling, the story is a pretty good urban fantasy.

The main character is Cal (short for Caliban) Leandros and one of the things that adds to the roughness of chapter one is that Cal is a bit on...more This is the first in what appears to be a popular series judging by the shelf in Barnes & Nobles. It’s first person point of view (since that matters to some people for some reason I don’t understand). The first chapter is a little rough, a bit too much information dump, not enough action. Once it gets rolling, the story is a pretty good urban fantasy.

The main character is Cal (short for Caliban) Leandros and one of the things that adds to the roughness of chapter one is that Cal is a bit on the whiney and lazy side (admittedly so). Cal lives poorly in NYC at the moment with his older half brother, Niko. Thanks to Cal they’ve lived life on the run for the last four years.

Their fortune-telling shyster alcoholic mother would never have won mother of the year. She didn’t care much for Niko and that was head and shoulders above what she thought of Cal. She named him Caliban after Shakespeare’s famous monster for one reason; she had slept with a demon and he was Cal’s father. He really is half a monster. Four years prior to the opening of the novel, Cal’s demonic father, creatures that Niko and Cal have taken to calling ‘Grendels,’ found them, hauling Cal off to their demonic homeland. When he reappears a few days later, two years had passed for Cal (now making him functionally two years younger than Niko rather than four) but he has no memory of it.

Now in NYC, Cal is working in a dive bar and Niko is a bodyguard, both of them ready to bolt at a moment’s notice. Their only acquaintances are Georgina, a true seer that Cal has a crush on and Rafferty, the healer out on Staten Island. It’s a rough life but it is at least a life, which is more than they’d get if Cal’s demonic relative catch up with them. So when Niko gets wind of a Grendel in Central Park, he wants to run.

Cal doesn’t. He doesn’t want to leave Georgina or Samuel, the musician who has sudden taken to playing at the dive bar. Cal also never tells his humorless brother about “Alice,” the humming in the mirror and the hint that something is in the glass. Cal is more worried about keeping the monster inside him tamed and feeling guilty that his brother has no real life other than keeping him safe. Niko is bright, winning a scholarship to college when Cal was first taken and Niko threw it all out to keep his brother alive. He wants Niko to have a real life.

Niko, having none of it, makes him go to the used car dealership with him since their vehicle doesn’t have much left to it. They run across a used car dealer that Cal can smell isn’t human. The dealer, Robin, turns out to be a mythological creature, while having crazy amounts of sexual energy and complete bisexuality, isn’t evil, isn’t a Grendel but he knows what they are.

Cal manages to stall his brother for a while, using Robin’s thousands of years of knowledge to figure out what his is, half auphe as it turns out, and why he is so important to them that they keep chasing him down. But the thing Cal didn’t tell his brother about comes back to haunt him and things go from bad to worse and the latter third of the book becomes can Niko save Cal from his demonic side.

It was pretty enjoyable. Cal does whine a lot but it’s tolerable. I liked the brothers but there is a bit of two dimensionality to them, especially Niko. It’s tricky giving the non-point-of-view characters depth when writing in first person and it takes Niko until the end to really begin to develop. All we know is that he’s martial arts guy with severe dedication to health food and keeping Cal safe. In some ways, Robin has more personality to him.

There were a couple of things that bothered me but most especially was where did Niko learn his skills? Did he start before the time Cal was taken (since it wasn’t a secret mom diddled a demon)? If not then after? His skill level doesn’t really square with the poverty of life with Mom or life on the run but okay I’ll put on my suspicion of disbelief glasses for that. I was more worried (Spoiler alert) that they stayed in NYC after what happened with Cal. Fingerprints? Video security? DNA? This isn’t set in 1985. I’d think that would be an issue for Cal for reasons that will be obvious if you read this. I was going to check for book two at the library but I went into B&N last night with my blood sugar sky high and riding the happy wave after seeing the Avengers (not a mix that will give you good decision making) and bought number two. So I guess that’s enough to recommend this to others.
(less)

like · see review

Apr 20, 2012 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-5-stars

Plot: 4.5 Stars
The author reimagines paranormal creatures we're already accustomed to and new creatures that are just as scary. The necessary backstory was spread out throughout the novel in a strategic way that kept to coming back for more. Everytime Cal and Niko turned around, there was some sort of paranormal creature to deal with or run from or learn about, but it never felt like too much.

Pace: 4 Stars
This novel was non-stop action. The brothers really knew how to fight, and fight they did....more

like · see review

Aug 24, 2011 Joey Cruz rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First in a very fun series of supernatural adventure books. Similar in tone to TV shows like Supernatural, Buffy or Angel, though with a harder edge and more mythological bent, the story is told from the perspective of Cal Leandros, a self-described "half-monster" hybrid who, along with his older brother Niko, has been on the run from his monstrous heritage since they were children.

The first novel tells the story of how the two deal with Cal's non-human relatives - a race of murderous, other-di...more

like · see review

Aug 13, 2011 Tal rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dont-own, sf-fantasy

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.

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....more

like · see review

Apr 22, 2011 Krystal Hammond rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

3 1/2 Stars

Caution: There is a lot of foul language and tons of violence. Some people aren't fond of that. If you're one of those people, you have been warned. :o)

Summary: Caliban "Cal" Leandros is only half human. His father's side of the family, the Grendels/Auphe/Evil Elves/Monsters wants to bring Cal into the fold, so to speak. Naturally, the thought of spending the rest of his life with dear ol' dad does not appeal to young Cal. With Niko, his health-obsessed, ass-kicking older brother to h...more 3 1/2 Stars

Caution: There is a lot of foul language and tons of violence. Some people aren't fond of that. If you're one of those people, you have been warned. :o)

Summary: Caliban "Cal" Leandros is only half human. His father's side of the family, the Grendels/Auphe/Evil Elves/Monsters wants to bring Cal into the fold, so to speak. Naturally, the thought of spending the rest of his life with dear ol' dad does not appeal to young Cal. With Niko, his health-obsessed, ass-kicking older brother to help him, he succeeds for a time. This book begins when that time ends.

Review: There are very few books that drive me to spend the whole day reading under a blanket, much less actually do it. Well ... I just got done doing that with this book.

Cal's first-person narration makes this book come to life. His sarcasm and wit are pervasive throughout the entire book--even the last half, after a dramatic plot twist sends the book careening in a whole different direction. I laughed out loud a lot.

Cal and Niko's relationship is priceless. They pick on each other incessantly, their dialogue rampant with snarky quips. But their unspoken and unconditional love for each other is unmistakable. It reminded me a whole lot of how I interact with my brothers (I have three of them) and this definitely endeared me to the characters.

The plot was pretty good. There were a few scenes that I didn't see the point of. I do wish that the time frame between the "big" climax and the more intimate "personal" climax had been trimmed down. I also wasn't sure about bringing in a brand-new character at the very end of the novel (to be fair, he was mentioned in passing earlier in the book). I do agree with other reviewers that the vampire lady didn't do much to push the story forward. Some sentence structure and use of imagery threw me off a couple times, but it wasn't that huge of a deal.

The one thing I really didn't like was the use of a short cut at the end of the book to avoid dealing with the emotional/psychological wreck that our hero should have been in. For me, that was just too quick and easy (to be fair, the shortcut only lessened the emotional trauma, rather than removing it completely).

I'll be checking out more from this author. Recommended.(less)

like · see review

Mar 26, 2011 ***Dave Hill rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Urban fantasists, people who fear they are monsters, brothers

Shelves: text

I really didn't like this novel for about the first 3/4 of its length.

Actually, I take that back -- I really didn't like the protagonist. Caliban Leandros is a half-monster, product of a scumbag fortune-telling woman, and one of the beastly elves known as the Auphe. He's half-monster who fights off his own monstrous impulses and lives a really sucky life.

And he tells you that, over, and over, and over. He's snide, he's snarky, he ends every paragraph with some pithy observation or ironic twist-o...more

like 1 like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Fantasy Aficionados: March 2012 Urban Fantasy Group Read: Nightlife	38	51	Apr 17, 2012 05:00pm

combine
Other Editions (16)

More editions...

Genres

Fantasy > Urban Fantasy

588 users

Fantasy

269 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

148 users

Paranormal > Vampires

77 users

Paranormal > Demons

39 users

Fantasy > Supernatural

37 users

Horror

34 users

Adult

27 users

Mystery

21 users

Shapeshifters > Werewolves

21 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

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

More about Rob Thurman...

Books by Rob Thurman

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Nightlife

4 trivia questions
1 quiz

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Nightlife

“When life gives you lemons. . . You might as well shove 'em where the sun don't shine, because you sure as hell aren't ever going to see any lemonade.” — 62 people liked it

“We all have our security blankets in this world. Some are just sharper than others.” — 34 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Nightlife
avg rating	preview: Nightlife Goodreads rating: 3.69 (6032 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9865723-nightlife?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1291900940l/9865723.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9865723-nightlife?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Nightlife by Rob Thurman[/url]

Nightlife (Cal Leandros #1)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website