Excellent debut for promising new series

The main characters are half-brothers. The younger brother, Cal Leandros, constantly wrestles with his inner monster (we learn later it is more than inner, but I won't spoil the reveal.) Nikos, the older brother, with whom Cal shares a mother, is a martial arts expert that has stuck by his brother, whose "nature" cause them to have a peripatetic life. moving from place to place to escape some pursuing evil.

This is a first effort and isn't perfect. Some of the writing is uneven, some of the dialogue a bit unrealistic (Nikos vacillates from sounding like a teenager to Yoda) and I felt like there should be a drinking game associated with Cal ruminating on his "monstrosity." Plus, Nikos is a bit TOO good with his marital arts, to be a match with some of the otherworldly foes he battles.

That aside, this was a really fun read, with some interesting spin on the "traditional" mythology and is chalk full of otherworldly creatures (trolls, shifters, vampires, etc.) I really like the strong bound between the two brothers and LOVE the snarky dialogue. The minor characters liven up the book (especially Rob Fellows.)

Patrick Lawlor is an excellent narrator and does a great job with voice characterization. The gin-soaked sound of his voice helped underline Cal's otherworldly nature.

I anxiously await the addition of the other volumes of this series to Audible!

11 people found this helpful

I agree

I have the pulp version, and loved it, looking forward to the next up in the series...
pj

5 people found this helpful

Highly entertaining

Patrick Lawler could bring the encyclopedia britanica to life with his performances. It is a tremenous treat for all of us urban fantasy readers to discover him as the voice of Cal Leandros. Nightlife is a great start to a long series, I'm thinking a little Dresden, but a bit less mature and gets quite a bit wacky when the real baddie pops in about half way through the book (don't want to spoil it!) A fun listen. Hope we get to hear the whole series!

11 people found this helpful

Are we there yet?

I did struggle through this one. The plot was a little predictable and the main character barely had any chance to develop from his whining self pity before the story is hijacked by someone even less likable. This also another case of the fist personnperspective completly ruining any chance of developing side characters that are more interesting than the limiting main character. Also, the narrator's voice was like listening to a chain smoker tell his life story. If that is your tabacco-laced cup of tea, go ahead. As for me, I don't think I will be listening to any more of these. Maybe in print, but not voiced by this guy.

9 people found this helpful

Amazing!

I was introduced to the series by my younger sister who was right when she said I would love it. I was thrilled to see it on audio and although it was bittersweet as my sister has since lost her battle with breast cancer, I decided I would listen to it in her honor! I am so glad I did. Patrick Lawlor did a fabulous job with the embattled brothers. I can only hope that we see more! Not only do you get the love of two brothers but a battle between the good and bad, made more difficult when one of the brothers teeters on both sides! You won't regret listening!

9 people found this helpful

Brother's who have each other's back

Love this series. Cal and Niko are brothers who fight demons. Cal's is the younger brother and has demon father. Their mother had no maternal desire and left the kids to raise themselves. Fortunately, Niko has an unbound love for his younger brother, a protection instinct of a grisly bear to her cub and a moral compass of an apostle. His mission is to protect his brother while improving Cal's self esteem by kicking his butt instead of letting him have a pity party.

Niko is a kick ass big brother whose abilities are way to good to be human, but he is human. His knowledge and skill are the force to their surviving the line between humans and demons.

It is the predictable plot of being in a subset of species and not feeling whole as either human or demon. Yet, Cal has a set of skills where he can use to help others. The usual ingredients are in the mix. The brothers have to look over their backs for demons, try to make a living with their special skills and evading the law when they have to kill someone or something. Oh, yes the constant desire to have a "normal" life.

Niko is the big brother with the goal to make sure that Cal can take care of himself. So Niko spends the entire series training Cal to be prepared at all times for anything. So at anytime Niko might throw a knife, kick or punch at Cal to make sure he is alert. The brothers had to forgo many relationships to stay alive and together. The moral code of Niko is what drives the cases the brothers accepts.

This is an entertaining series subject to the benefits and flaws of any series.

I did not like the narrator Patrick Lawlor. When I listened to the subsequent books and MacLeod Andrews narration is much better.

3 people found this helpful

Loved every minute!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I loved listening to this book. The narrator did a great job with the characters and the story moved quickly so there weren't any places in the book where my attention started to drift.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book but I wish Audible had all of the other books in the series.

3 people found this helpful

Great Job!

Would you listen to Nightlife again? Why?

Yes. Love the voice of Cal. Just like what I would think. Great to listen to when working out.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Nightlife?

The point where Niko and Cal's friends said goodbye to him as they were going to kill Cal/Darkling.

What does Patrick Lawlor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The snarky tone that he can get to his voice and all the other inflections he does so well.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Cal saw his brother taken by Abbigor.

Any additional comments?

Superb reading of the book but I was wondering if the was he said Auphe was how Rob told him to say it or if that was something that he brought himself. Awesome if he did. It really sounds like someone punching him in the gut every time he says it.

3 people found this helpful

Like a bag of potato chips

I like urban fantasy, so this book was right up my alley. The characters are likable; the main character is funny; the narration is nuanced and the story itself is fine. That being said, I purchased this title a few years ago and listened to it. I re-listened to it, because I saw the title in my library and couldn't remember it at all. When I re-listened, I remembered little bits, but not much. It is like a bag of potato chips: filling, satisfying, no nutritional value. But you're still going to eat it.

10 people found this helpful

entertaining book, wrong reader

The reader sounds way too old to be a teenage boy speaking in the first person. It's not that it's a bad performance, he's just clearly the wrong person. Happily, the other books in the series have someone who is a better fit and are great to listen to.

2 people found this helpful