Buddy Review: Slashback by Rob Thurman

Recently, I had the pleasure of carrying on a long standing tradition of Buddy Reviewing the latest Cal Leandros book with two wonderful ladies, Nath of Books, Books and More Books and Hilcia of Impressions of a Reader.  You can read our Buddy Review of Slashback at Breezing Through.

I stopped and let them circle me, first because it was intriguing and, second, because, honestly, what could they do? Only knives, but all armed, and that made them even more interesting. Interesting. Fun.

Playtime...

Taking on bloodthirsty supernatural monsters is how Caliban and Niko Leandros make a living. But years ago—before they became a force to be reckoned with—the brothers were almost victims of a very human serial killer.

Almost.

Unfortunately for them, that particular depraved killer was working as apprentice to a creature far more malevolent—the legendary Spring-heeled Jack. He’s just hit town. He hasn't forgotten what the Leandros brothers did to his murderous protégé. He hasn't forgotten what they owe him.

And now they are going to pay… and pay… and pay.…

Review: Doubletake

We're at it again! Nath from Books, Books and More Books and Hilcia from Impressions of a Reader and I joined forces for a buddy review of Rob Thurman's Doubletake.

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 paying the ultimate price for their kin, a horrific reminder from Cal's own past arrives to remind him that blood is thicker than water-and that's why it's so much more fun to spill. 

So head on over to Breezing Through to find out what we thought about the latest (mis)adventures of the Leandros brothers!

Thanks again to Nath and Hils for the buddy review!

Review: Blackout

Two of my favorite things ~ Buddy review with Nath and the Cal Leandros series. Today, head on over to Breezing Through and read what Nath and I thought of Blackout, the sixth book in Rob Thurman's amazingly addictive series.

It's one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series, and with today being release day for Doubletake, book seven, now is the perfect time for a recap of Blackout.


I was alone, and I was lost. I didn’t know where I was; I didn’t know who I was. It doesn’t get more lost than that. Knowing what I knew and not knowing anything else at all, why would I want to be in the darkness where monsters hide?

BECAUSE KILLERS HIDE THERE, TOO…

Half-human Cal Leandros has always walked a bloody line between keeping his mortal soul free and clear (sort of) and unleashing the horror of his otherworldly heritage. The one thing that’s always saved him is the memory of his brother, Niko, his friends, and those he loves.

Until now.

Cal wakes up on a beach littered with the recently slaughtered remains of a variety of hideous creatures that were obviously looking for trouble. The fact that he was the one doing the slaughtering doesn’t bother him. The fact that he feels like a natural-born killer doesn’t either. What bothers him is that Cal doesn’t remember Cal anymore…

AND HE’S NOT SURE HE CARES.

Review: Roadkill

Hey there! One of my favorite series is Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros series. It's a fun, wicked and imaginative ride that we go on with Cal, his brother Niko and their good friend Robin. There are an assortment of other wild characters that come along for the ride too.

The fifth book in the series, Roadkill, was released last month and I had the pleasure of doing a buddy review with Nath from Books, Books and more Books and Hils from Impressions of a Reader. Both of these ladies are big fans of the series and we were thrilled to get our Cal, Niko and Robin fix. Want to find out what we thought of Roadkill? Then head on over to Breezing Through for our buddy review. Beware of spoilers. :)

Review: Deathwish

Title: Deathwish
Author: Rob Thurman
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Cal Leandros/Book 4
Published: March 2009

From the back cover ~

How I felt the mental stirrings of a bloodthirsty heritage when I passed through the gray light wasn't my favorite topic... The Auphe nature wasn't mine. I wouldn't let it be. And if I said to myself over and over and sprinkled around enough frigging fairy dust, maybe it would be true.

Half-human Cal Leadros and his brother, Niko, are barely getting by with their preternatural detective agency when the vampire Seamus hires them. He's being followed, and he wants to know by whom. But the leandros brothers have to do more than they had planned when Seamus turns up dead (or un-dead.)

Worse still is the return of Cal's nightmarish family, the Auphe. The last time Cal and Niko faced them, the Auphe were almost wiped out. Now they want revenge. Cal knows that before the Auphe get to him, they will try to destroy everything and everyone he holds dear. Because for the Auphe, Cal's pain is a pleasure.

And they're feeling good.

Hey, where's the review? It's over at Breezing Through, that's where. :) nath from Books, Books and more Books asked me to do a buddy review for what has become one of my favorite series. So head on over to Breezing Through and check out our love for those Leandros brothers.

Rob Thurman and her books can be found here.

My reviews for the first three books in this series:

Nightlife

Moonshine

Madhouse

Review: The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie

The year is 1881. Meet the Mackenzie family--rich, powerful, dangerous, eccentric. A lady couldn't be seen with them without ruin. Rumors surround them--of tragic violence, of their mistresses, of their dark appetites, of scandals that set England and Scotland abuzz.

The youngest brother, Ian, known as the Mad Mackenzie, spent most of his young life in an asylum, and everyone agrees he is decidedly odd. He's also hard and handsome and has a penchant for Ming pottery and beautiful women.

Beth Ackerley, widow, has recently come into a fortune. She has decided that she wants no more drama in her life. She was raised in drama--an alcoholic father who drove them into the workhouse, a frail mother she had to nurse until her death, a fussy old lady she became constant companion to. No, she wants to take her money and find peace, to travel, to learn art, to sit back and fondly remember her brief but happy marriage to her late husband.

And then Ian Mackenzie decides he wants her.

Lord Ian is my first buddy review. :) It was such fun emailing back and forth with nath from Books, Books and more Books. We don't always agree on every book (because that would be boring) but we both enjoyed Lord Ian. You can read the review at Breezing Through .

This book pimped by Kristie. Pimping great books one post at a time. :)